Porch_Reader's 2009 Reading, Part 2

OK, I think it's time for a new thread. My first thread (with books 1-50) is here:

Porch_Reader’s 2009 Reading

wooo hoo new thread :D

Here's a quick summary of my first 50 books for the year:

January:
1. My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey - Jill Bolte Taylor
2. The Sea is So Wide and My Boat is So Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation - Marian Wright Edelman
3. Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri
4. Loving Frank - Nancy Horan
5. A Lion Among Men - Gregory Maguire
6. The Guy Not Taken - Jennifer Weiner
7. Nixonland - Rick Perlstein
8. Dreamers of the Day - Mary Doria Russell
9. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich
10. Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders - Mary Pipher

February:
11. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
12. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers - Mary Roach
13. Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism - Muhammad Yunus
14. The Bonesetter's Daughter - Amy Tan
15. A Thread of Grace - Mary Doria Russell
16. The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
17. Hot Six - Janet Evanovich
18. Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World - Vicki Myron

March:
19. Lark and Termite - Jayne Anne Phillips
20. The House on Fortune Street - Margot Livesey
21. Note to Self: On Keeping a Journal and Other Dangerous Pursuits - Samara O'Shea
22. Song Yet Sung - James McBride
23. The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
24. The BFG - Roald Dahl
25. Fablehaven - Brandon Mull
26. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running - Haruki Murakami
27. Invitation to the New Testament - David deSilva and Emerson B. Powery
28. Crocodile on the Sandbank - Elizabeth Peters
29. At Home in Mitford - Jan Karon
30. Never Check E-mail in the Morning: And Other Unexpected Strategies for Making Your Work Life Work – Julie Morgenstern

April:
31. The Witches of Eastwick - John Updike
32. The Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs
33. Krik? Krak! - Edwidge Danticat
34. Rebel - Bernard Cornwell
35. Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe
36. The Testament - John Grisham
37. The Color of Lightning - Paulette Jiles
38. Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney
39. My Own Country - Abraham Verghese

May:
40. How Starbucks Saved My Life - Michael Gates Gill -
41. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
42. The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do - Peg Tyre
43. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka
44. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
45. Racing Odysseus: A College President Becomes a Freshman Again - Roger Martin
46. The Book Borrower - Alice Mattison
47. Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity - Adam Hamilton
48. A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
49. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules - Jeff Kinney

June:
50. Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese

>2 girlunderglass: Thanks, Eliza! I'm excited about it too! It feels kind of like getting new school supplies - a fresh slate!

Book #51 - How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas - David Bornstein - Finished June 10, 2009

I'm using this book as the text for a freshman honors seminar that I'm teaching in the fall. I'm hoping that the course will give us an opportunity to learn from the social entrepreneurs that are profiled in Bornstein's book. He does a wonderful job of telling each person's individual story, while at the same time highlighting some of the overall secrets for success that we can learn from their stories. Through developing creative solutions to social problems, doggedly pursuing their visions, and building connections and encouraging collaboration, these social entrepreneurs have made a huge impact on social problems around the world. In the fall, I'll have the pleasure of spending a semester with 16 freshman honors students who will be full of ideas and energy. I hope that I can motivate them to "change the world" as well.

Great goal and, once again, a very interesting and unusual class to teach. Wish there had been more of these when I was in college.

ditto message #6! I had some very boring classes with a smattering of very interesting ones.

Found you and got you starred again, Amy!

>5 porch_reader:: Nothing makes me more hopeful than creative, caring, and determined people using their minds to do good things. Gotta read this book!

Mac and Linda - Thanks for stopping by my new thread! I'm very excited about the class. The Univ of Iowa is trying a new initiative to help freshman engage in college. Since many of them take large classes during their first year, we are offering a range of small (16 students, maximum) seminars. They are just once/week, but faculty can basically teach whatever they want. The real purpose is to get freshman thinking, talking, and engaged with faculty. So, I feel very lucky to get to teach a How to Change the World class.

Stasia - Thanks! I love the twinkly star!

Bonnie - I agree! I love reading about people doing good things. That's how I felt when I read Three Cups of Tea.

I think it's especially heartening to see the words "social" and "entrepreneurs" in the same sentence. Since capitalism is the system we have to live under, it's a relief to think that it is possible to function within it and not be Evil....

good comment Rachael!

Amy, this sounds like an exciting opportunity. And, kudos to the University of Iowa.

>11 FlossieT: - Oh, how true, Rachael! I love to tell stories in my classes about businesses that seem to be able to not only chase profits, but also to keep in mind the needs of people and planet.

>12 Whisper1: - Linda - I do think it will be good for the students and fun for me too!

Book #52 - Eleven on Top - Janet Evanovich - Finished June 12, 2009

This has been my audiobook for the past couple of weeks. It is a typical Stephanie Plum book, which I do enjoy! This one wasn't my favorite though - not enough Grandma Mazur. Plus, the love triangle between Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger is getting a little old.

Book #53 - Death at La Fenice - Donna Leon - Finished June 12, 2009

I put this book on my TBR list after seeing it on Cheli's (cyderry) thread and then seeing it pop up on lots of other lists as well. This is the first in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series. When a famous conductor is murdered after the second act of La Traviata, Brunetti is called in to investigate. In his quiet, methodical way, Brunetti interviews suspects and gradually puts the pieces together. Sounds like most other mysteries, right? But this one felt a little different. It is intelligently written, with witty dialogue and well drawn characters. I also liked it because I figured out whodunit just as Brunetti did (although I didn't quite have all the details right). The ending seemed obvious once I read it, but it wasn't given away too quickly. My one complaint is that I didn't feel as though I quite got to know Brunetti. I'm hoping to get a better sense of him (and his wife Paola) as I read more of the series.

#15: In the gospel according to Joyce, the Brunetti series (with the exception of 1 book) improve with age.

I do not know yet because (whispering) I have only read 1 of them so far. Do not tell Joyce!

>15 porch_reader:: I'm in the middle of the third Brunetti right now and so far, so good.

Message #14.
Sad, but true that the Stephanie Plum series has lost the spark and orginality. Plum Lucky was funny, but other recently written ones are simply fall flat.

Stasia and Tad - Thanks for the comments on the Brunetti series. Tad, I just saw the review of the third one on your thread. I'm definitely going to read more in this series - especially if Joyce says they improve with age!

Linda - I agree! I still really like Grandma Mazur, but the Stephanie Plum storylines seem pretty similar. However, they are great on audio as they don't require my full attention!

Book #54 - The Shape of Water - Andrea Camilleri - Finished June 15, 2009

I'd seen this book - the first in the Inspector Montalbano series - recommended on several of your threads, and I was in a mystery mood when I was at the library last week, so I decided to try it out. Inspector Montalbano is called to investigate the death of a Silvio Luparello, a big wig in local politics who is found dead in the Pasture, an area that is home of prostitutes and drug dealers. Although the cause of death seems clear, Montalbano suspects foul play and sorts through a variety of clues and leads to get to the bottom of things.

The plot of this book moves along at a rapid pace. I enjoyed the way that Montalbano confronted the unsavory elements in the book, as well as his softer side in dealing with some of the more sympathetic characters. My only realy complaint was that I just didn't identify with (or really like) Montalbano. Perhaps it is unfair to cast judgment after only reading the first book of the series, but he seemed a little full of himself. This is a minor point. The plot was intriguing enough that I'll read the next in the series and see if I get a different perspective on Montalbano.

I find your comments on The Shape of Water interesting as I came to the books from the tv series so my view of Montalbano is entirely caught up with the onscreen characters. He is a bit selfish, but this character flaw does add humour to the story, perhaps he'd be too good to be true if he wasn't.

Kerry - That's a good point. I think it is easy for detectives in mystery series to be too good to be true - solving mysteries in a single bound without a hair out of place. I haven't seen the TV series. I'll be on the lookout for it, and maybe I'll come to appreciate Montalbano more as I read some more of the books.

#15 - Thanks for the review on Death at La Fenice - this is one of the books in my possession. I used to have the audiobooks, but on listening to some samples I found the narrator Anna Fields irritating, and got rid of them. Maybe it's just me, but I prefer listening to a male voice imitating a female voice, than a female voice imitating a male's.

#20 - As you know I've just finished The Shape of Water myself, based on avatikh's recommendation. I haven't seen the TV series, so I came to the book with no preconceptions; and found Montalbano to be a fascinating and complex character. I like the idea that Camilleri is pacing things and that with each new book we'll learn just that little bit extra about him, and that excites me. The Terracotta Dog is certainly adding more flesh and blood to the bones, and I gotta say, he's the sort of guy I'd like to hang out with!

P.S. I've now checked out the TV version of Montalbano over at YouTube, and I'm disappointed. I actually pictured him as a lean Robert De Niro type of character.

Peter - Good to know about the Brunelli audiobooks. I usually like mysteries on audiobook, but my library didn't have these. Maybe I'll just stick with the books. I did like the first one!

And I'm excited to see how Montalbano evolves in the next book. I think that my negative reaction to him was partly because of his treatment of Anna (which was a pretty small part of the story), but I did like what he did for Saro and Tana and their baby. So, maybe I'll come around. . .

#24 - Uh Oh! I'm only 3/4 the way through The Terracotta Dog, but if you didn't like Montalbano's treatment of Anna in the first book, you really ain't going to be dancing in the aisles come the second! And that's all I'm going to say...

>25 petermc: - Well, that's the kind of teaser that I can't resist! Looks like The Terracotta Dog is available at my public library. I'll have to pick it up soon.

#55 - Summerland - Michael Chabon - Finished June 23, 2009

I took my boys to their first major league baseball game on Friday night (at Busch Stadium in St. Louis). I grew up rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, but I believe that real baseball happens in small towns all over America when Little League teams take the field. My eight-year-old is on two teams this year and is learning to pitch. My five-year-old is starting his second year of tee-ball (although he is indignant that his coach/dad won't just pitch to him). I love watching them play.

Chabon captures this love of baseball in Summerland, the story of a magical place on an island off the coast of Washington State. In Summerland, the sky is always blue and Little League games are never cancelled, until one day when everything goes wrong. A classic bad guy, Coyote, threatens to interfere with the magic of Summerland and destroy the whole world. Ethan Feld, a struggling baseball player, is called on to become a hero. Together with his teammate Jennifer T. Rideout, he travels to parallel worlds and meets fairies, giants, and goblins. He forms a team (complete with a sasquatch in centerfield) and plays some of the toughest teams in these parallel worlds in an attempt to defeat Coyote and save the world.

I've enjoyed Chabon's adult books and thought that he was on the top of his game with this young adult story. Ethan is a compelling character, an unlikely hero who I found myself rooting for. The alternative worlds created by Chabon are interesting, flavored with elements of folklore. At times, the book's pace is a bit slow, but this is really my only complaint. In all, the flavor of this book was perfect for summer.

I am definitely looking for that one!

Stasia - Yes, I think that Summerland is right up your alley!

Book #56 - Captain Freedom: A Superhero's Quest for Truth, Justice, and the Celebrity He So Richly Deserves - G. Xavier Robillard - Finished June 29, 2009

Captain Freedom is a superhero in the midst of a career crisis. Although he has saved the world numerous times and holds the record for foiled bank heists, he has his share of problems. He doesn't seem to be able to find or commit to an archenemy (although for a time, he settles for an animated paper clip, which should sound familiar to Microsoft Office users). He loses the International Justice Prize because of charges of substance abuse. And his job at Gotham Comix is in danger. What's a superhero to do? In the hands of expert satirist G. Xavier Robillard, Captain Freedom tries a number of strategies. He gets a life coach, uses NME Online to find an archenemy, and eventually runs for public office.

This book is likely not for everyone, but I loved it! Robillard had me laughing out loud. Captain Freedom is a lovable, but bungling hero. By the end of the book, I was rooting for him, while humming his theme song ("Freedom's just another word for time to kick your. . .").

Just to go back to the Brunetti books, they are definitely intended as a series, and you get to know the characters a LOT more as they go. They are the only detective/mystery books that I have read and enjoyed, mainly because of the characters. Its like entering the family :)

Luna - Thanks! That makes me want to read more of the Brunetti series. I liked the first one, but look forward to learning more about the characters.

Book #57 - Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris - Finished June 30, 2009

I have heard a lot about this series, so when I found the audiobook of the first one at my library, I decided to see what the fuss was about. I wasn't expecting to love it - I thought a Southern Vampire Mystery wasn't my cuppa tea. But I was wrong. I really liked this book. And it was mostly because of the main character Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie has her challenges in life. She can read minds and spends most of her time trying not to. So, when a vampire comes into the bar where she works, and she can't read his mind, she is immediately intrigued. Sookie is modest, but gutsy, which serves her well when she has to track down a murderer and defend her new boyfriend, vampire Bill Compton. The plot is fast-paced and funny, and Harris creates a world in which vampires play an interesting and complex role. I look forward to reading more of this series.

Book #58 - Cooking With Fernet Branca - James Hamilton-Paterson - Finished June 30, 2009

Thanks to TadAD for recommending this one. I loved it!

Gerald is a slightly arrogant ghostwriter of biographies for sports figures and rock stars. He has come to Italy from England to write in peace. Marta is a composer who is working on the score for a Pacini movie. She has come to Italy from the form Soviet republic of Voyde to work in peace. However, the secluded houses that they buy end up being right next door to one another. They meet. They drink Fernet Branca. They clash. Along the way, we meet a cast of interesting supporting characters and watch the sparks fly.

The best part of this book is that it is written first in Gerald's voice and then in Marta's. In alternating chapters, we learn what each thinks about the other and uncover lots of misconceptions that are the basis for much of the humor in the book.

>34 porch_reader:: I'm glad you liked it! :-)

Book #59 - James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - Finished July 6, 2009

I listened to this on audio, and although it is not my favorite Dahl book, it does have several of the elements that I love. James is in the care of horribly awful guardians, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. Life is not good for James until a mysterious old man gives him magic crystals that cause a giant peach to grow. James climbs inside the peach, makes some new friends (spider, grasshopper, ladybug, etc.), and has an adventure. I liked this book not because of the plot, but because of the way that Dahl created an improbable world and makes James the master of it. Dahl's wordplay added to my enjoyment.

Thanks for your great comments regarding James and the Giant Peach. I appreciate your insights! I agree, this book was not one of my favorite of Roald Dahl, but I do appreciate his creativity.

The BFG is by far, IMO, his best work!

I hope you are having a restful summer. Mine is conference filled, but the good news is the yearbook is finished and currently in the hands of the publisher!

Linda - I love The BFG too!

I'm glad to hear that the yearbook is finished! I'm really enjoying summer - spending a little more time with my boys, working a little, and getting some travel in. I can't believe that it's already July!

Book #60 - Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris - Finished July 6, 2009

I didn't think that I'd read another Sookie Stackhouse book so soon, but we went away over the 4th of July weekend, and I wanted a quick and easy read for the trip. I liked the 2nd Sookie book as much as the first. Sookie maintains her no-nonsense, modest but gutsy personality. She not only has to deal with a murder in her hometown of Bon Temps, but also tangles with a group of vampire-haters in Dallas. Harris not only tells a good story, but also does some foreshadowing for future books. I'll definitely keep reading this series.

Found you -- still enjoying your thread. Thx for sharing.

Susan - Thanks for stopping by!

Book #61 - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - John Le Carre - Finished July 16, 2009

I don't read a lot of spy novels, but I really enjoyed this one. Alec Leamas is a British spy in Berlin during the Cold War. When things start to go wrong, he is called back to London and agrees to play the part of a disgraced agent in order to find out secrets from the Communists. This may sound like a relatively simple premise, but Le Carre leads us through a series of twists and turns that keep the story interesting to the last page.

The writing in this book is masterful. Le Carre would lull me into thinking that I knew exactly who was on what side and then pull the rug out from under me in just a few sentences. The writing is also very tight - no word is wasted in telling this story. Even if spy novels aren't your usual genre, this one is worth a read.

Bppl #61 sounds great.

>41 porch_reader:: What a classic! That might be fun to read again.

#41 - This is on my TBR for August, and I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!

Hi Linda, Bonnie, and Cait - Thanks for stopping by! I just saw another of le Carré's books reviewed on rebeccanyc's thread. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold was just one of those random grabs from the library shelf for me, but given how much I liked it and Rebecca's review of A Perfect Spy, I may have to read more by this author.

Book #62 - Where God Was Born - Bruce Feiler - Finished July 16, 2009

In all of Feiler's books, he attempts a deeper understanding of the Bible by going back to the place of the stories. In this book, he begins with Joshua and explores the stories of the exile, visiting Israel, Iraq, and Iran. The book is rich with insights both about biblical times and current day. I listened to this on audio, so I feel as though I only absorbed a fraction of the information presented by Feiler. This is one that I'll go back and read again.

Book #63 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J. K. Rowling - Finished July 18, 2009

I read this book when it first came out, but didn't finish the series. So, I wanted to re-read this one before going on the Books 5-7. I think I was in just the right mood for this book. I thought that the story moved along nicely. The three tasks that were a part of the Triwizard Championship gave the book a nice structure. I enjoyed seeing Harry's relationships develop and was very happy that Sirius was back in this book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

#46: I will have to look for that one. Have you read his Walking the Bible yet?

No, I haven't read Walking the Bible yet, but I want to. I have Abraham on my shelf too.

I have not read Abraham yet. I read Walking the Bible several years ago in conjunction with the PBS series.

I've read Abraham and thoroughly enjoyed it. Walking the Bible is on my shelf. I did watch & enjoy the PBS series--I guess that would have been a good time to have read it. I never think of those things...

#51: Glad to know that Abraham is good. My local library has that one so I will be looking for it the next time I am in.

Terri - I'm also glad to hear good things about Abraham. It is another one of those books that is teetering on my nightstand.

Stasia - I think that my library has the PBS special of Walking the Bible on DVD. I think that I'll try to both read and watch it soon.

#53: I hope you enjoy both the series and the book, Amy.

Book #64 - The Bad Beginning - Lemony Snicket - Finished July 20, 2009

This is the first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series. Snicket tells the story of the Baudelaire children, but unlike most children's books, this story does not have a happy beginning or a happy ending (or really much happiness in between). The three Baudelaire children become orphans at the beginning of the book and are sent to live with the awful Count Olaf, a distant relative with no redeeming qualities.

I was almost completely convinced that I would not like this book before I read it. The story sounded bleak, and I'm a sucker for a happy ending. But I really liked this book - mostly because of Lemony Snicket's talents in telling the story. His writing is ironic and funny. He is clear up front - this is not a book for people who want to hear about good things happening. But the three Baudelaire children - Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny - are so resilient and clever that I found myself reading quickly to see what they would come up with next. They can't control the situation that they find themselves in, but they make the best of it.

Book #65 - Little Bee - Chris Cleave - Finished July 24, 2009

When I was about two-thirds of the way through this book, I was convinced that it would be one my best reads of 2009. Cleave does a masterful job of telling the story of Little Bee, a 16-year-old refugee from Nigeria, and Sarah, a surburban wife, mother, and journalist. Their paths cross on a beach in Nigeria, where they are linked for life, and then again, two years later, in England. Using alternating voices (Sarah in one chapter, Little Bee in the next) and a series of flashbacks, Cleave fills in the gaps in their stories and explores where they will go from here. (OK, that’s a horrible summary, but it is hard not to give anything away.

I loved this book. Cleave develops two very different characters in Little Bee and Sarah, as well as some compelling minor characters. (Sarah’s son, who insists on being called Batman, was my favorite.) Using flashbacks allowed me to gradually piece the story together, adding suspense. And while Cleave writes a good story, I think that he writes emotions even better –feelings of grief, sadness, and despair were sometimes so strong and real that I had to put the book down. I really cared about what happened to these characters.

And perhaps that is why I was disappointed in the ending. It is not just that I would have chosen a different ending. The ending seemed a bit rushed, tying up loose ends too neatly. For me, it didn’t fit with the events or the feelings of the rest of the story. Maybe that was the purpose. The ending was jarring, and so will likely stick with me. I just finished the book last night, so it may be that I’ll make my peace with the ending as it simmers in my thoughts. But right now, it doesn’t seem like the ending does justice to the rest of the story. Even so, I think that this one is worth reading.

Thanks for the great reviews of your book #64 and #65. Hang in there, you are nearing the 75 goal!

I hope your summer is going well.

I'm often disappointed by an ending, especially if I'm really enjoying a book. Quite a few people have said something similar about the ending of Little Bee though, so I'm going to try tone down my expectations. I am looking forward to reading it, though, as it's got a great cover and title, and I love how it starts.

#55 I listened to all of the Lemony Snicket books on audio. Tim Curry narrated most of them, and I think he tripled my enjoyment of them. I was hoping that when the movie came out, they would let him be Count Olaf, but no dice.

Hi Linda! I'm having a great summer, but am sad to see it drawing to an end. I hope you've had a chance to get rejuvenated for the year ahead.

Bonnie - I'll be interested to see what you think of Little Bee when you read it.

Terri - I love Tim Curry! I didn't know that he narrated most of the Lemony Snicket books. I'll have to look for them.

Book #66 - It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys - Marilyn Paul - Finished July 29, 2009

With this book, I continue my habit of reading books about getting organized rather than actually getting organized. The book is clearly written and based on general change management principles. Paul proposes seven steps to getting organized and includes lots of examples. The ideas are not radically different from other organizing books that I've read, but it did have a couple of interesting ideas. Paul talks a lot about getting back to "ready." When you are done with an activity, she recommends making sure to take time to get back to ready. Basically, this means putting things away so that you are ready to act next time. Paul also highlights the importance of being realistic about how long things will take. She is not an advocate of a marathon organizing session. Rather, she recommends working through the mess a bit at a time and taking time to implement new systems and make them stick. This made a lot of sense to me.

Book #67 - The Rope Walk - Carrie Brown - Finished August 1, 2009

This is the All Iowa Reads book for the year, so my book club is reading it for August. It is a beautifully written coming-of-age story. The book begins on Alice's tenth birthday. Alice's mother passed away when she was young, so Alice has been raised in Grange, a small New England town, by her father Archie and five older brothers. She has been loved and sheltered. But on her tenth birthday she meets two people who will change her life, making her aware of the challenges and dangers that are present in the world. Theo is a boy about Alice's age whose grandparents live in Grange. He has come to stay with them because his parents are having marital trouble and his mother is depressed. When Theo's grandmother suffers a stroke, Theo comes to live with Alice and her family. Together, they befriend Kenneth, an older gentleman who has AIDS and has come back to Grange to be cared for by his sister. They read to him and eventually build him a rope walk to help him walk by himself through the woods.

Although the book is filled with sadness and tragedy, more than a ten-year-old should have to deal with, Brown also shows us how Alice comes to deal with these challenges. We come to the understanding that life is not idyllic and we can never completely shelter those we love, but support and friendship come from a number of sources and help us through the hard times. Sometimes we all need a rope walk to hold onto as we navigate the challenges that life throws at us.

Hey, great review....I went to thumb ya', but you weren't up there. I have read two of Brown's other books and quite enjoyed them, Lamb in Love and Confinement. You've spurred me to put this one on the list.

Thanks, BDB! I got interrupted in the middle of posting and just got a chance put my review on the book's page. I haven't read anything else by Brown, but I'll definitely put Lamb in Love and Confinement on the list.

Great review. That one is going on my list along with BDB's two. Thanx for the recx guys.
I went over to give you a thumb's up and BDB;
it's there now.
Excellent job porch_reader!~!
belva

The Rope Walk sounds like a beautiful and touching book. I'm adding it to the list. I liked Lamb in Love very much and second BDB's recommendation of that one.

The Rope Walk sounds like my kind of book--thanks!

Re: Little Bee. I'm keeping track now through tags on my wish list books as to who gets me to finally add a title. That way, I'll know who to go back to if I want to make a comment or thank.

Belva, Deborah, and Bonnie - I'm glad that I could add to your TBR lists. Belva, thanks so much for your kind words about my review. I still feel like I struggle with getting my thoughts about a great book down into words.

Bonnie - That's a great idea. I always forget who I suggested my wish list books by the time I read them.

I agree, nice review of The Rope Walk. I'm adding it to the TBR pile.

Amy
Congratulations on your hot review for The Rope Walk. I see this on today's home page.

Lurking here, Porch reader, and considering your organizing book. I like the idea of getting back to ready! I am a fairly organized person but the rest of my family is not, so I will use that philosophy on them!!

I smile when I see all these books for sale about clutter and organization - perhaps they know they have a captive market. I have a whole portion of a bookcase about books on books as I cannot resist.

Nice review of The Rope Walk

Word for word what Kiwi said. ;)

Aww, Tiffin, it is nice to see that we are a pair of lurkers who agree!!

How fun it is to know that so many of you are lurking!

Lorie - Glad to add to your TBR pile!

Linda - Thanks so much for letting me know about the Hot Review. I think that is my first one!

Karen and Tui - I did like It's Hard to Make a Difference When you Can't Find Your Keys - although I skimmed a few sections that seemed redundant. But there is a whole chapter on getting the rest of your family on board, so you might find that useful if you are already organized. Unfortunately, in my house, we're all organizationally-challenged!

Love the sound of It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys! I'm terrible for books about getting organised - worse than you, I avoid getting organised by buying the book and then failing even to read it, as if somehow having it on the shelf will magically assert an organising influence over my life.

So glad you liked Lemony Snicket. I would really like to read the whole series through someday; I've read The Bad Beginning several times, but have listened to the others on audio, in the car with the kids, which means inevitably after about book 6 I have missed whole chunks of the story. My kids were completely obsessed with it last year and used to litter conversation with Lemony Snicket references.

You may be amused to learn that the character of 'Batman' in Little Bee is heavily based on Chris Cleave's son... his website is good for a giggle.

Rachael - I know what you mean! I'm always hoping that just having these organizing books will somehow solve the clutter problems in our house. In fact, I do have one of them holding down a pile of the kid's artwork from science camp, so I guess that's something!

The Chris Cleave website is hilarious. I did really appreciate the "Batman" character in Little Bee. He was so spot on. It makes sense that Cleave was writing from experience.

I'm trying to hold off on the rest of the Lemony Snicket books. I think that in one more year or so, my kids will enjoy them too. But the first one was wonderful! It was your comments about them that caused me to grab the first one from the library. Thanks!

I hope that bones are knitting themselves back together at your house.

I'm on my way to a conference, so I just want to leave myself a note so that I don't forget to write about the last three books that I read.

Book #68 - The Painted Drum - Louise Erdrich - Finished August 4, 2009

Book #69 - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane - Katherine Howe - Finished August 5, 2009

Book #70 - When the Emperor Was Divine - Julie Otsuka - Finished August 6, 2009

More soon. . .

I avoid getting organised by buying the book and then failing even to read it, as if somehow having it on the shelf will magically assert an organising influence over my life. ditto!

I'm always hoping that just having these organizing books will somehow solve the clutter problems in our house. double ditto!

I not only have the "Get Organized" books, I also keep buying cook books even though I never really cook anymore.

Now that I think of it, that's what I used to do with "How to Get Your Kids to Sleep" books. I bought several, but never really read them. Just having them on the shelf seemed good enough (although my youngest still shows up in our bed sometimes and they both have to have ESPN on when they're going to sleep - maybe I should have read those books!).

And I do like looking through cookbooks, even if they are recipes that I'll never cook!

I do have one of them holding down a pile of the kid's artwork from science camp, so I guess that's something >77 porch_reader: I think that's the most directly practical use of a decluttering book that I've ever heard of. Bravo, madam. Although I won't show your post to my husband, who has lately begin suggesting "alternative" uses for my book stacks... firelighters, say. (Philistine. Goodness only knows why I married him.)

I am very happy indeed to have been responsible for introducing you to Mr Snicket. Next year should be perfect for your kids, if I remember correctly - or, you could start them on the audiobooks now....

Bones are doing well, and thank you for asking. Middle child seems superlatively unaware of the restrictions imposed by his cast - although, he is getting a LOT of computer time (ordinarily a highly controlled substance in our house) so I daresay he will milk it for as long as he can.

Hope the conference goes well!

I have more cookbooks than a bookstore, and it is for the very same reason - if I get this book I will produce feasts as shown in the illustrations. NOT!!

Flossie - you are a most considerate threader, always posting links and adding volumes to posts. Thanks. I wonder if Cleave does his own art work for his blog. because it is quite eye-catching.

Porch - I never had problems with sleep when my children were young. Now that they are late teenagers, they have developed sleep problems, not appearing home until a late hour as I wait bleary-eyed ( anything after 10pm is late). It does not end!

>82 kiwidoc: thanks, Karen! That's very lovely of you to say so - I have not been a very considerate threader of late mainly because I haven't had enough time to read any... so am gorging a bit. As it happens, yes, Cleave does do his own illustrations - some of the "stories for free" on his site are illustrated throughout, and the pictures that appear with the Guardian pieces originally carry a credit to him.

OK, I'm finally back from my conference. I owe some comments for books that I read before I left and have also finished a few since I got back. I'll try to get caught up this weekend.

Book #68 - The Painted Drum - Louise Erdrich - Finished August 4, 2009

This was my first Erdrich. I've read such wonderful things about her from a number of you that I had very high expectations. And I wasn't disappointed.

This book is essentially three separate stories, all of which are connected by a painted drum. The story begins on the East Coast with Faye Travers, who works with her mother valuing estates. When she finds a painted drum that she is certain was stolen by an Indian agent on the Ojibwe reservation, she steals it from the estate and returns it to the reservation. There we learn the story of the drum, as told by Bernard Shaawano. In the final section of the book, the drum plays a role in saving a family who is suffering from poverty and despair. Each of these stories are marked by tragedy and sadness, but the three narrators are strong and resilient.

I loved this book, first and foremost, because of Erdrich's writing. I listened to the book on audio and was mesmerized by her way with words. The stories were also fascinating, drawing me in and keeping me interested. In some ways, they read like short stories. Erdrich creates a rich picture of each life with only a few words and phrases. Like short stories, I often found myself wanting to know more about this aspect of one character or about what happened next. But, I came to appreciate each nugget that Erdrich shared. But perhaps most amazing was the distinctness of each voice. Although the three narrators were not at all similar, the voice of each rang true.

Thanks to all of you who finally convinced me to read something by Erdrich. This won't be my last.

#84: Erdrich was one of my LT discoveries, too, Amy. I am glad to see that you enjoyed your first book by her. I have not read that one yet, but I definitely intend to.

Book #69 - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane - Katherine Howe - Finished August 5, 2009

I had read several lukewarm reviews of this book, so my expectations were relatively low. With that frame of mind, I thought the book was OK - not the best book I've read this year, but enjoyable.

Howe tells the story of Connie Goodwin, a doctoral student in history who is spending the summer cleaning up her grandma's abandoned house and looking for a unique primary source for her dissertation. Coincidentally (perhaps too concidentally), Connie finds a clue in her grandma's house that leads her on a search for the physick book of Deliverance Dane, a woman who lived at the time of the Salem Witch Trials. The story alternates between Connie's story (set in the 1990s) and the story of Deliverance and her prodigy in the 17th and 18th centuries.

I was glad I read this book for several reasons. First, the book moved quickly. Howe's writing kept me turning the pages in the breezy summer read. Second, (and this may be unique to me), I love reading books about people doing research. I finished my own dissertation about 5 years ago, and it always makes me feel better to read about the struggles of others. I also cared enough about what happened to Connie and to Deliverance to continue reading to the end.

However, I understand others' lukewarm responses. Parts of the plot were just too coincidental, sometimes even unbelievable. At times, I felt that keeping up the pace of the book was so important to the author that the pieces of the story just didn't quite fit. I was also a bit frustrated with Connie. At times, she seemed completely unwilling to see pieces of the puzzle that were obvious to me (and I'm not the quickest at figuring out mysteries). Some of the characters - especially Connie's advisor and her mother - were written without much depth, instead coming across as stereotypes.

>85 alcottacre: Stasia - You are one of the people who got me excited about reading Erdrich! I have a couple of others on my shelf that I hope to get to soon.

Book #70 - When the Emperor Was Divine - Julie Otsuka - Finished August 6, 2009

In When the Emperor Was Divine, Otsuka tells the story of a Japanese American family in an internment camp during World War II. Many stories of injustice are told in horrific detail, making readers cringe as they imagine the horrors. This story is different. It is told in spare, simple prose. The family remains unnamed, and their experiences are told in a matter-of-fact voice. This style makes the book's story even more powerful. As small details of life in and after the internment camp are revealed in the book's 160 pages, Otsuka creates a vivid picture of this period in history that will stay with me for a long time.

Book #71 - Death in a Strange Country - Donna Leon - Finished August 12, 2009

This is the second in the Commissario Guido Brunetti series. Leon takes her readers to the streets and canals of Venice as Brunetti investigates the murder of an American serviceman. I enjoyed this book even more than the first. Leon pacing and plot are exactly right. She takes us through twists and turns, while revealing just enough clues to keep us engaged. She captures Venice perfectly - making us feel as if we are there with Brunetti. And Brunetti is a character that I really enjoy. In this second book, we learn more about him, his family, and his style of solving mysteries. I'll be reading more of this series.

#88: I just read that one this past week, too. I thought it was pretty good. I think the matter-of-fact style of the book was done very well.

#89

Brunetti is a great character, isn't he? As is his wife :)

>90 alcottacre: - Stasia - I agree! The style in When the Emperor Was Divine worked very well, I though.

>91 lunacat: - Luna - Yes! I'd actually like to see more of Brunetti's wife in the books. I really like her. And her parents provide a nice contrast.

Book #72 - A Thousand Acres - Jane Smiley - Finished August 13, 2009

This is the story of a farm - 1000 acres in Iowa - and the challenges that arise as the farm's owner, Larry Cook, passes the land on to his daughters, Rose and Ginny. Although the plot may sound simple, Smiley weaves in rich insights about human nature, relationships, and progress as the characters struggle to figure out what comes next in their lives and to deal with injuries from the past.

I have to admit that I read this book in short stretches over the course of the last 6 or 7 weeks. This is not because the book is not good, or did not hold my interest. On the contrary. Smiley captures the emotional ups and downs of these characters so well that the book felt too intense for me to read it straight through. I live in Iowa. I grew up on a farm in Missouri. I know people and situations like the ones about which Smiley writes. And usually that makes me more intensely critical of an author - quick to point out scenes that do not ring true. But Smiley writes with insight, showing multiple sides of complex situations and creating characters that are not caricatures but multi-dimensional and true. This is not an easy book to read, but it is beautifully written.

Book #73 - The Senator's Wife - Sue Miller - Finished August 14, 2009

I picked up this book expecting a light read, but I found a bit more. Miller tells the stories of Meri, a mid-30's wife of a professor, and Delia, the wife of a former senator in her 70's. They live in the two sides an old New England house and come to be friends. Their voices alternate as Miller provides a window into slightly more than a year of their lives - a year when both Meri and Delia deal with changes that introduce new roles into their lives. Through flashbacks, we come to understand the events that have brought them to this point in their lives and that have influenced the decisions that they make.

I liked this book most in the middle. The characters are not perfect (few likable characters are, in my opinion), and it took me a little time to warm up to them. But within a few chapters, I found myself intrigued by Meri and Delia. Having recently been a new mother, I felt that Miller's descriptions of Meri's transition into this role were spot on. She also creates interesting parallels between the challenges of new roles that we face in the middle of our
lives and those we face as we grow older.

There were two things that made me like this book less than I might have otherwise. First, I felt as though Miller gave away her secrets too quickly. We learn much about Meri and Delia in the first few chapters, and then Miller uses flashbacks and other plot devices to reveal these secrets again. I felt that the flashbacks would have been more effective if there had been some suspense left. I also had trouble believing some of the choices that Meri made - especially one completely misguided (in my opinion) choice near the end of the book. I was listening to this on audio in the car, and actually found myself yelling at the iPod (No. . no. . you can't do that. .. you won't do that . . . you did THAT!?!?!). Maybe I'm naive, but I just didn't see Meri's choices as plausible. And so my relatively positive view of the book was diminished greatly by the end.

#94: I have that one on Planet TBR but have hesitated to read it because I read Smiley's Moo and was not terribly impressed. I will move A Thousand Acres up due to your review.

Stasia - I read Smiley's Ten Days in the Hills a couple of years ago, and did not like it much at all. I think that the only reason that I picked A Thousand Acres up was that my mom loaned it to me. But I thought it was much different (and better) than Ten Days in the Hills. I had thought about giving Moo a try, but maybe I'll give it a pass. Too many books, too little time!

Amy, you may like Moo better than I did. I am not sure exactly what it was about the book that I did not care for, but I just did not. You may just do the 50 page rule on it and then chuck it if you do not like it.

You've had some interesting reading lately. I've added several to the wish list!

A Thousand Acres is a retelling of King Lear and, for that alone, I found it a fascinating read. Add my recommendation, please.

I love the play King Lear, so I will definitely look for A Thousand Acres in that case.

With school starting, I'm not getting much reading done, and I'm really behind on threads. But here's a couple that I've finished recently.

Book #74 - Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich - Finished August 27, 2009

Not enough Grandma Mazur. Ranger also had a pretty small role. But I enjoyed this one - mostly because of some interesting side characters (Brenda the singer, Zuke the teenaged gamer). And it was nice to have some "brain candy" for a busy week.

Book #75 - Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life - Winifred Gallagher - Finished August 30, 2009

Attention is a big subject. The things that we pay attention to shape our identities and our experiences. At the same time, who we are influences what we pay attention to. In this way, we create our own reality. In this book, Gallagher draws from a number of sources and perspectives to cover the topic of attention in a relative comprehensive manner. Chapter-by-chapter, we move from how nature and nurture influence attention, to the role of attention in shaping relationships, productivity, decisions, health, and ultimately the meaning of life.

I have read some of the research on attention as a part of my research on behavior in organizations, and I believe that Gallagher covers the terrain accurately. He casts a wide net and thus provides a 10,000-foot view of the field of attention. As a result, the coverage is, at times, a bit too surface level. Gallagher includes a few notes at the end of the book, and I felt that I needed to move on to some of these sources to get more details. But, overall, this is an interesting overview of the role that attention plays in shaping our lives.

Book #76 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - Michael Chabon - Finished August 30, 2009

Joe Kavalier escapes Poland as the Nazis invade. He arrives in the US and partners with his cousin, Sammy Clay, to create comic book heroes. In this expansive novel, the boys become men, finding and losing loves, struggling with the harsh realities of the war, and ultimately coming to terms with themselves.

This was not a fast read for me. Chabon's pace is measured as he creates the world about which he writes. (I found this true of the last Chabon book that I read - Summerland - as well.) But I never considered not continuing the journey with him. I felt like I came to know Joe and Sammy, and I trusted Chabon to tell me their story. Even when the plot twists might have led me to question other authors, Chabon managed to pull them off.

I was also impressed with Chabon's ability to weave so many threads together seamlessly. Other authors might hope to write a book about one of the subjects covered here - the comic book era, World War II, young loves, lost loves - but Chabon writes a book that is about all of these things. And he does it in a way that seems natural, almost easy. I highly recommend this book.

Congratulations to you on reaching the 75 challenge goal!

Happy Semester!

Thanks, Linda! It's already been a busy one - sounds like yours has started off that way too.

Ah, Kavalier and Klay, one of my faves! You're right about it being about so many things that anyone less gifted than Michael Chabon could not have pulled it off. The chapters about Houdini's teacher and his tricks could have been a novella itself!

As a side note, I was listening to Nora Ephron's audiobook "I Feel Bad About My Neck" and when she got to the chapter about how completely transported she was to the time and place of a book she was reading, I was more than delighted to find out at the end of the chapter that Kavelier and Klay was the book she was referring to.

A note of caution: Chabon's sentences are very long and it takes a while to get used to them. There is a definite cadence to his writing and once you hear that in your head, the length of sentences adds to the many charms of this wonderful book.

#104: I loved that one, too. Glad to see it has found another fan.

I love your list. You've got some really interesting books.
What did you think of The Zookeeper's Wife?

>107 AnneH: and 108 - Anne and Stasia - I'm glad to find two other Kavalier and Clay fans. Anne, you are right, Chabon's writing definitely has a cadence (a great way to put it). I got pulled into it after a while, and his writing just carried me along.

>109 nittnut: - Jenn - Thanks for stopping by! I loved The Zookeeper's Wife. Ackerman tells the story of Antonina, the wife of a zookeeper in Poland during WWII, in a way that made me feel as if I were there. As she helps shelter Jewish people from the Nazis, Antonina's behavior seems heroic, but it is almost as if she doesn't give it a second thought. I was left with the feeling that she couldn't imagine taking any other course of action.

I read this book right after A Thread of Grace, which is a fictionalized account of the Nazi invasion of Italy during WWII. After finishing both, I was left with a very strong feeling of the strength of "ordinary" people.

I just looked back at my last year's list, and it was November 6 when I finished 75 books, so I'm a couple of months ahead of where I was last year. As my TBR list grows and I find even more great books (thanks to all of you!), I think I'm even more motivated to read. Fall semester is always pretty busy for me, but maybe I'll hit 100!

#111: I hope you reach your 100 book goal in spite of school!

Congratulations!

Thanks, Rachael!

Book #77 - Getting Things Done - David Allen - Finished September 1, 2009

Mamachunk just finished this book a few days ago, and I have to agree with her - I am going to try to implement several of the ideas in this book. This is a book about how to get things done by focusing on collecting all of your "open loops" in a reliable system (so you don't have to keep track of them in your head) and identifying the next actions on all of your projects.

Allen's ideas are not rocket science, but there a few features that are different than other productivity books that I've read. I really like the idea of specifically identifying the next action on a project. I have several huge projects that are daunting, but I can always seem to muster the energy to tackle one single action step. I also like Allen's emphasis on making sure that the system is complete, so that there are no action steps cluttering up my head.

So, I now have an up-to-date action list, a "waiting for" list to track delegated items, a someday/maybe list for things that I might do (but not right now), and a higher-order project list to track projects. I also bought a label maker to label my folders. Right now, I'm all systems go. Ask me in a few weeks if I've stuck with it!

Book #78 - The Giver - Lois Lowry - Finished September 3, 2009

I've seen this book on several of your threads, and when I saw it on CD at my library, I picked it up. This book was amazing! It worked well on audio (well, except for the annoying music periodically), but I think that I want to go back and read it on paper as well.

This is the story of Jonas - a male 11 (as he is referred to in his community) who is about to turn 12 and get his work assignment. As Lowry tells the story, we gradually learn that Jonas's community is not like ours. Birth mothers give birth to babies who are nurtured by nurturers until they turn one and go to live with a family unit (mother, father, and no more than two kids). Kids begin volunteering at age 8 and get bicycles at age 9. The community is extremely regimented and as a result, there are seemingly few problems or conflict.

Jonas's work assignment is to be the keeper of memories. As The Giver (the previous keeper) gives him memories of times past, Jonas realizes how different his community has become and begins to see the downsides of some of their decisions.

This book is masterfully written. Lowry is never heavy handed. She writes as if the customs of Jonas's community are the norm and lets the reader draw their own conclusions about the consequences of excessive control.

I can't say much about the ending (without completely giving everything away), but I'll just say that I was worried several times that Lowry was going to blow the ending - that I was going to come away disappointed. I should never have doubted Lowry. She wraps things up in a way that could not have been more perfect.

This is one of my most memorable reads of the year. I recommend it highly!

Amy

I hope the new semester finds you well! Thanks for such an excellent review of The Giver. I read this a long time ago, but your comments prompt me to want to read it anew.

I love The Giver! It's one of my favorite novels of all time. I need to either dig out my copy or buy a new one!

Count me in as one of the lovers of The Giver. I read it twice last year as a matter of fact.

I loved it too! I agree that the customs of the community feel normal - I found myself nodding along a few times, thinking "that makes sense", and then having to stop and give my head a shake! LOL

I'm glad you enjoyed it go much :)

Linda, Marcia, Stasia, and Cait - I'm so glad to find more lovers of The Giver. I think it's going to be one of those books that sticks with me. I want to read more of Lowry's books now!

One of Lowry's I can whole heartedly recommend is Number the Stars, although it is classified as juvenile, not young adult like my library has The Giver. The Giver is the first book in a trilogy, but the other two books, Gathering Blue and Messenger are nowhere near it IMHO.

Book #79 - The House at Riverton -Kate Morton - Finished September 3, 2009

Grace Reeves is 98 years old. She has lived a rich life - had a family, worked as an archeologist - but she is haunted by a secret that occurred when she worked as a lady's maid for a prominent British family. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn what happened to the Ashbury family during and after World War I. Early in the book, we know that a tragedy occurred, but Morton does a great job of maintaining the suspense, providing us with only a few details at a time and leaving a surprise for the final pages of the book.

Because of the suspense, the book moves along quickly. Morton creates an interesting character in Grace. As a young woman, she embodies the life of a lady's maid, and we learn a lot about the lifestyle of servants during this period in history. The development of this character is even more effective because we have the contrast of 98-year-old Grace.

The book was a bit long for the story told. I think that it could have been tightened in some places. But, all in all, it was a good read. I believe that I got this recommendation from loriephillips. Thanks, Lorie!

I so agree about The Giver. It's that rare YA book that's equally compelling to adults. You wouldn't think that it would be as good the second time around, considering what you learn, but it was!

> 95. Just read your review on The Senator's Wife and your reaction to an incident at the end of the book - i think it is the same incident that made me think about the book yesterday - because the same thing happens at the beginning of Off Season a fairly recent book by Anne Rivers Siddons, which I just started. I was gobsmacked - could Siddons have copied it from Miller?!
I too was put off by it in Miller's book and found it icky in Siddons book, too. It just doesn't seem believable.

I second Stasia's recommendation of Number the Stars. It's very good, but a lot more simple (being juvenile) than The Giver. And for something totally lighter, I absolutely adored her Anastasia Krupnik books when I was a kid!

>121 alcottacre: and 125 - Stasia and Marcia - Thanks so much for the recommendations. I'm definitely going to try some more of Lowry.

>123 bonniebooks: - Bonnie - I do think that I'll read The Giver again. You are right that the suspense won't be the same, but I think I'll enjoy it again.

>124 dihiba: - Diana - I can't believe it!! That incident struck me as very odd in The Senator's Wife. I'm surprised that it showed up in another book as well. Some scenes deserve to be revisited - that wasn't one of them!

Book #80 - It's All Too Much - Peter Walsh - Finished September 6, 2009

One of the few TV shows that I've been watching lately is Clean Sweep. Organizer Peter Walsh along with a decorator and a carpenter goes to people's houses to organize and redecorate two rooms. They take everything out of the two rooms (and put it on the lawn). Then the people decide what the functions of the rooms should be and select only those items that fit the function and fit in the space to return to the house.

This book gives advice that is very similar to that in the TV show. Using a function chart, family members are encouraged to agree on the functions of each room in their house and then create zones for each function. The middle section of the book includes a chapter for each of the rooms in the hosue, describes common challenges, and suggests solutions.

The book is a quick read. It includes lots of examples and some good tips. It's also a motivating book - the focus is on the end product. Walsh also recognizes that everyone won't have time to completely "clean sweep" their rooms, and suggests ways to gradually clear the clutter. Again, the tips are not rocket science, but this is a worthwhile read for anyone gearing up to declutter.

I need this book!

Bonnie - I need it too! We actually used some of the suggestions on our shed this weekend, and it worked pretty well. Now we just have to tackle the toy room, the guest room, etc., etc.

Book #81 - The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald - Finished September 8, 2009

This short book tells the story of Florence Green, a widow who decides to open a bookshop in her small town of Hardborough. While opening a bookshop might seem to be a small change (even a change for the better), not everyone in Hardborough agrees. And this is the beginning of Florence's problems.

The book does tell a story, detailing the ups and downs that Florence faces, but its real strength is in telling a place. Every detail that Fitzgerald includes helps to make the town of Hardborough and its residents come to life. I have very little direct experience with what might happen if a woman tried to open a bookshop in a small town in England in 1959, but I've lived in small towns most of my life, and I thought that Fitzgerald's portrayal of the drama in the town was spot on.

Amy, It's All Too Much is now on the tbr list...
rule #1 for me would be to stay away from Marshalls and T.J. Max. That is a very dangerous (and wonderful) place for me.

I hope the beginning of the semester is a good one for you. And, I hope your tenure process is moving along at the pace you like it to be.

>127 porch_reader: never mind the book, the show sounds AMAZING. I'm assuming they don't have a UK franchise :-( I've just spent a large chunk of the past fortnight clearing out just one room, and have come to the conclusion that sorting through the clutter in a location removed from where it ordinarily lives definitely helps. Which sounds bizarre, but I find I can be a lot more ruthless when it's not dead easy just to put the thing straight back where it ever was.

>130 porch_reader: agree about the portrayal of the small-town drama but oh, I found this book soooooooooo depressing - the defeating of a passionate idealist by a small-minded but dogged community. There was so much about it that reminded me of the things I don't like about society today - let alone when the book is set - that I just wanted to scream and shake my fists at the sky like a crazy woman.

It's All Too Much is going on my tbr list too - how does it work with kids? Did yours go along? My 10 year old desperately needs a Clean Sweep, but I refuse to do what my mom used to do. You know, you're gone and you come home, and everything you love is in the trash. I used to hate that, I swore I'd never do it, I haven't yet. But argh! Everyone in my house is a pack rat except me! Maybe my mom was actually doing me a favor...

>133 nittnut:: I used to do this with my children: First, I would warn them by telling them that the mess bothered me too much and they would have to clean up their rooms by a particular time/date. I also said it wasn't my job to clean up, so if they didn't do it, I would just put everything into paper bags and put the bags in the basement. They could always get their stuff back, but they couldn't pick and choose; they had to sort through all the bags and put it all away and/or put it in boxes for charities. Anything that stayed in the basement for a year (I had a big basement) was permanently mine to do with what I wanted.

>132 FlossieT: - Rachael - I completely agree with your comment about The Bookshop! I was so bummed by the way that the community treated Florence. I kept arguing with the other characters in her defense.

>133 nittnut:,134 - I agree, Nittnut. I refuse to throw my kid's stuff away while they are gone. Bonnie, we do have a system in our house like yours - where we move things that aren't being played with too much to the basement, and then if they aren't requested for a few months, they are sometimes moved on to a new owner. But I generally try to get the kids to agree to this.

One thing that helped this time was that we were getting rid of some larger things (collections of MegaBlocks, sports equipment, etc.), so we posted them on Craig's List and sold them. We're using part of the money to start a kiva.org account, but we split the rest and they can do what they want with it. My kids are all about making money.

In It's All too Much, Walsh suggests allowing only so much space for various activities (for example, all the Legos have to fit here, all the art supplies have to fit here). So kids can buy more stuff, but they have to get rid of something else first. (We haven't made it to that stage yet!)

And I think that the Clean Sweep process is pretty fun for kids. Walsh suggests doing quick sorts into "Keep," "Toss," and "Sell/Donate" piles. It's pretty frenetic - which my kids love!

I wish I had seen "Clean Sweep" when my kids were little. I could see my kids and I having fun with that too. You sound like you're way ahead of me, even now. I keep saying I'm going to sell stuff on Craig's List, but never do it.

Book #82 - Writing in the Sand: Jesus & the Soul of the Gospels - Thomas Moore - Finished September 14, 2009

Moore is a scholar of theology, world religions, and mythology. Through this frame, he proposes to reinterpret the Gospels, showing us their deeper meaning. Moore provides a picture of a compassionate Jesus who is open to both earthly and spiritual pleasures. He also emphasizes the importance of change in seeking the Kingdom of Heaven.

Given the amount of scholarship on the Gospels, revealing their deeper meaning is an ambitious goal. Although I enjoyed the book, I'm uncertain that Moore's interpretation is radically different from that of other Gospel scholars. However, Moore use of perspectives from other religions and wisdom traditions nicely supplements his interpretation of the Gospels. Moore also uses the layers of meaning in Greek words like metanoia and agape to shed new light on familiar Bible stories. So, while I did not come away with a radically different interpretation of the Gospels, I did feel as though my understanding of the nuances of meaning was deepened.

#137: I will take a gander at that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Amy.

I hope that you like it, Stasia!

Book #83 - Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town - Warren St. John - Finished September 17, 2009

On Saturday mornings in the fall and spring, my family and I pack up cleats, shin guards, balls, and uniform shirts and head to the south side of town. We drive through neighborhoods and eventually weave through a cornfield. (It is Iowa, after all.) As we round the final corner, the soccer complex comes into view – 17 fields of three sizes, two concession stands, manicured grass, parking lots full of minivans. I watch two games each Saturday, cheering on my kindergartner and my third grader. As I hand out orange slices and Gatorade at the end of the games, I realize that I have joined the ranks of the soccer moms.

Why do my sons play soccer? It’s good exercise, teaches teamwork, and they love it. If you ask the boys on Luma Mufleh’s soccer team, the Fugees, they’d probably say the same thing. But for these teenage refugees in Clarkston, Georgia, being a part of the Fugees is about so much more. These boys have fled from war zones around the world – Liberia, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan. They live in apartment complexes where gang members sell drugs in the stairways and gun fire is not an uncommon sound. They struggle to learn to speak English, make friends, fit in, and stay safe.

When Luma Mufleh starts the Fugees soccer teams, she becomes so much more than a soccer coach. She tutors the players, helps their families sort through acclimation challenges, and demands commitment and discipline. As a Fugee, many of the boys find a family and the support that they need to survive. Their diversity is evident – referees in the upper scale suburbs of Atlanta struggle to pronounce the names on the Fugees roster – but they are joined by the love of soccer and by the charismatic Coach Luma.

Warren St. John follows the Fugees throughout a season. But this book is so much more than the story of a soccer team. St. John provides insight into the conflicts that have driven the boys from their homes. He tells the story of Clarkston, Georgia, a town that changes dramatically as refugees are relocated there. We get to know several of the players and their families. And most of all, we come to root for Coach Luma and her team. The story is not all positive. There are some boys who don’t respond to Luma’s strict discipline, and Luma herself struggles to sustain the team that she has started. Life is not easy for the refugees of Clarkston, Georgia, but the heart and the drive of Luma and her team are a good match for the challenges they face.

I highly recommend this book. It reminded me a bit of Three Cups of Tea. Clearly, there are major problems in the world, but one person can make a difference.

Great review! I loved this book, too.

Hi There
I'm simply stopping by to say how much I appreciated your birthday message! I hope all is well with you and that your semester isn't too tiring. I'm approaching week four into the new semester...not bad, but many more newspapers and yearbook pages to go.

Hugs,

Onda

Outcasts United... sounds great! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

#139: I have had that one on Planet TBR for a while now and just discovered my local library has a copy in. Thanks for the reminder about the book.

>139 porch_reader: I put this one on the list after Darryl/kidzdoc recommended it, and grabbed a copy from work not long after... MUST get to it soon. Thanks for a really great review!

Darryl, Linda, Bonnie, Stasia, and Rachael - Thanks for stopping by!

I am so far behind on reading threads, posting, laundry, etc., etc. My five-year-old Matt got bit by a stray cat last Sunday, so I've been spending the week learning about infections, rabies, and cat observation, and just generally worrying. We think that we have the cat, so he should be able to avoid the rabies shots if all goes well. I think that I need some good escapist reading tonight!

Interesting to read your impressions of the Fitzgerald read. I have only read one of her books, The Blue Flower. I read it because there was a huge kerfuffle about it not being nominated for the Booker that particular year, and heralded as a major classic.

I also noticed a newer publication of all her letters - which I had the self-control to NOT buy, although I really wanted too!!

#145: I went through a similar circumstance with Beth when she was 8. I hope Matt is doing well!

>146 kiwidoc: - Karen - Did you like The Blue Flower? The Bookshop was my first book by Fitzgerald, but I liked it enough that I'd like to read more.

>147 alcottacre: - Stasia - I've been amazed at how many people have had similar experiences with their kids. I've been talking to everyone that I know to get advice. Matt is doing better now.

Book #84 - Abide with Me – Elizabeth Strout – Finished September 22, 2009

I have Olive Kitteridge on my TBR shelf, and I plan to read it soon. But I was able to get this earlier book by Strout on CD at the library, so I’ve been listening to it on my drives to work. In Abide with Me, Strout tells the story of Tyler Caskey, a widower and a minister in a small New England town. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about not only about the trials that Tyler faces in the early years of his marriage and his wife’s rocky transition to life as a minister’s wife, but also about the challenges that face his parishioners in West Annett.

Throughout the story, the people of West Annett spent a good deal of dealing gossiping about each other, but very little time trying to understand or connect with each other. When moments of human connection do occur, they are poignantly described. I remember one moment especially, when Tyler’s five-year-old daughter Katherine is given love, attention, and an Alice in Wonderland lunchbox by a neighbor, that brought me to tears. At first, I was mad at the characters in the story. Why were moments of understanding and kindness so rare? But perhaps their oversights were noticeable only to me, the omnipotent reader. I had the benefit of knowing the pain or uncertainty or loneliness felt by each character, and so I couldn’t believe it when others didn’t respond with care to those feelings. But Strout helped me realize that the people of West Annatt were not neglectful, but unaware. Strout is at her best as she reveals the troubles of her characters not only to her readers, but also to each other.

Book #85 - What the Gospels Meant – Garry Wills – Finished September 23, 2009

In this relatively short book (just over 200 pages), Wills provides insight into the differences in the four Gospels. Because each of the Gospels was written for different audiences and to serve different purposes, their content and style differ. This helped me understand some of the stories that I’ve read a number of times in a new light. I’m doing a Bible study this fall in which we are focusing on Luke, and this book helped me realize how and why Luke’s telling of Jesus’s life differs from the other three Gospels.

Both books 84 and 85 look good to me. I will see if I can find them. Thanks for the recommendations, Amy.

Porch - I did really like The Blue Flower. It was not an easy read, and took some dedication to read, but it was beautifully done. I think it is a classic work.

I really loved the beginning of The Blue Flower.

Count me in amongst the fans of The Blue Flower as well.

Wow! Three recommendations for The Blue Flower. That one is going to the top of my TBR.

Message 149.

What a wonderful review. This book is now on the top of the TBR pile.

I recently finished Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy which contained a similar theme regarding church people, small town gossip and nastiness.

Linda - I've never heard of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. I'll have to keep my eyes open for that one!

Book #86 - Jeeves and the Old School Chum and Other Stories - P. G. Wodehouse - Finished September 28, 2009

This was my first Wodehouse. I had heard lots of good things about Bertie Wooster and Jeeves here on LT, so I was thrilled to find this audiobook at my library. Throughout these stories, I was amazed at Jeeves ability to understand human nature and solve Wooster's problems. The stories worked very well on audio.

Amy

I highly recommended Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

I hope to catch up some day on what I've missed here, but in the meantime I'm gonna' do my best to stay current!

Susan - I know what you mean! I am constantly behind on reading threads this year. But I'm glad that you stopped by. I hope you are doing well!

Book #87 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J. K. Rowling - Finished October 5, 2009

I had not read this fifth book in the Harry Potter series. (I read the first 4 when they came out, and then re-read them recently.) I really enjoyed it! It makes me either want to run out and get the other two to read immediately, or perhaps wait a bit to savor them.

After reading this book, I was struck by how the characters have changed over the first five books. In this one, it is clear that Harry and his friends are truly in the midst of their teen years. Using some moodiness, some self-doubt, and some unrequited love, Rowling captures the teenaged experience. The story, as always, kept me engaged, and I found myself reading faster and faster as I came to the end. Neville Longbottom has a good year in this book. (He's always been a favorite of mine.) I would have liked to have seen a little more of Hagrid. His storyline seemed a little tacked on. But this wasn't a major distraction. It was still a great read!

ah, you are so lucky to still have HP books that you haven't read! I hope you savour the experience! :)

Ditto. Enjoy reading them for the first time. You can never do it again :)

Book #88 - Lost in a Good Book - Jasper Fforde - Finished October 11, 2009

This is the second in the Thursday Next series. I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was as good as the first (The Eyre Affair). In this book, Thursday Next is up to her old tricks, jumping into books, hanging out with literary characters like Miss Haversham, and chasing bad guys. Parts of the book are quite funny. Fforde had me laughing out loud a time or two. And Thursday is a thoroughly likable character. However, I felt like the plot could have moved along a little more quickly. Side stories often took Thursday away from the main action without adding much to the book. I think I'll continue reading this series, but won't race out to get the next one.

#165: I enjoy the series, but have to be in the right frame of mind to read them :)

Book #89 - Good Omens - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - Finished October 12, 2009

This is one of those books that I might never have read if not for LT. I've seen many of you talking about this book - some love it, others think it doesn't live up to the authors' other work. I haven't read much of either authors' work, so I can't comment on how it compares, but this book did make me want to read more from both.

Good Omens tells the story of Armageddon, beginning with the slightly bungled birth of the Antichrist. Along the way, we meet Aziraphale, an angel, and Crowley, who works for the other side. However, after 6000 years together on earth, they have come to an amiable friendship and now are faced with the task of preventing the end of the world. Although I'm quite sure that I didn't get all of the jokes, I found the story funny, and especially enjoyed some of the minor characters - including the four horsemen (actually, motorcycle riders).

My only complaint was that the story was often disjointed. The race to the end of the world was told from the perspective of a number of different characters, and often we'd spend only a page or two with one group, before switching perspectives. But aside from that, I enjoyed the book. I'm not among those who consider it a classic, but I am glad that I read it.

Book #90 - Writing for Scholarly Publication - Anne Sigismund Huff - Finished October 14, 2009

I read this book during my Ph.D. program, but felt like I needed a refresher. Huff's approach to writing academic journal articles really appeals to me. She discusses academic writing as a conversation, and uses this metaphor as she talks about how to identify an area for contribution and how to craft a journal article that conveys that contribution. Her focus is on writing in the social sciences, although I think that many of her tips would be useful in other areas as well.

Book #91 - Still Life - Louise Penny - Finished October 17, 2009

Thanks to all of you who have been reading Louise Penny lately. I had never read anything by her, but so many of you spoke favorably of her, that I decided to give her a try. Still Lifeis the first in the Inspector Gamache/Three Pines series.

This book was a great read. A murder surprises the small town of Three Pines, and Inspector Gamache and his team must figure out whodunit. The mystery itself kept me turning the pages. The decoy suspects were plausible and although I had a hunch, Penny kept me guessing until the end. The characters were also fabulous. Inspector Gamache himself is a nicely developed character, even in this first book of the series. He is a thoughtful, kind man, and I liked him immediately. Penny also develops a range of other characters, each one distinct and interesting, even those who have only a bit part in the story.

I will definitely read the other books in this series.

Glad you enjoyed the first book in the series, Amy. IMHO, they only get better!

Book #92 - Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus - Mary Shelley - Finished October 19, 2009

I was planning to read Dracula with the Halloween group, and then my son got bit by a cat, and I couldn't read anything about biting. So, when I found Frankenstein on CD, I decided it might be a better Halloween book for me. I listened to it on a long car trip. I had never read it before, and it was much better than I expected. The story - as you likely know - focuses on Victor Frankenstein, a student who discovers the secret to creating life and creates a living being. However, he is horrified by the creature and abandons it. The tension in the book builds as the creature attempts to get revenge on Victor.

I found the story fascinating, primarily because Shelley allows the creature to tell his side of the story. Initially, we know the creature only through Victor's eyes, and it seems that he is purely evil. But, when Victor and the creature meet, and the creature shares the events that have led him to commit some unspeakable acts, the story takes on depth. In the end, the story is much more than the basis for a horror movie. Shelley explores solitude, loss, and longing, as well as fear and terror in this classic novel.

Book #93 - Shepherds Abiding - Jan Karon - Finished October 23, 2009

It's always comforting to check in with Father Tim and his friends in the fictional town of Mitford. In this short novel, everyone is busy in the days leading up to Christmas. But somehow Christmas is less commercialized in Mitford than in other towns. Gifts are handmade or restored and given with love. Father Tim restores a nativity scene for his wife Cynthia. Uncle Billy makes a jewelry tray for his wife's "Santie gift." Marmalade cakes, loving baked by Esther Bolick, are received and devoured. And the true meaning of Christmas is never far from the surface.

I hope your son is doing much better now!

ditto what Stasia said.

And, how is the tenure process coming along for you?

I read Shepherds Abiding a few years ago right before Christmas. It was delightful!

Hi Stasia and Linda! Matt's doing much better now - thanks! His cat bite healed nicely, and he's moved on to new things - like kissing girls on the playground!

Linda - The tenure process is so slow. I should get the department decision by mid-November. But then it has to go through the college, the university, and the Board of Regents. Yikes! I should get a final decision sometime in April. Waiting is hard.

I remember that you are a Jan Karon fan too. Her books are the definition of comfort reads for me!

Book #94 - Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout - Finished October 23, 2009

Through a collection of short stories, Elizabeth Strout introduces us to Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher living in the town of Crosby, Maine. Strout needs only a few, well-chosen words to give us crystal clear snapshots of Olive's life. Olive, direct and outspoken, deals with the marriage, divorce, and remarriage of her only son, the illness of her husband, and the challenges of growing old. Olive is featured in some stories, but appears only briefly in others, as Strout also provides insight into the lives of many other residents of Crosby, Maine.

These stories are connected not only by place, but also by a sense of struggle. As Strout observes, "Sometimes, like now, Olive had a sense of just how desperately hard every person in the world was working to get what they needed." The characters in this book have very different approaches to dealing with these struggles. Some do not survive. Others exhibit surprising resilience. But, perhaps because the book is dominated by Olive's straight-forward, no nonsense approach, I left the book feeling not despair at the number of challlenges that life throws our way, but amazement at people's capability to live through these struggles and come out the other side.

Amy
It is coincidental that you posted a revew re. Olive Kitteridge. I obtained this book today from my local library. It was a long waiting list and finally, my name worked its way through the top.

Again, good luck with the tenure process.

Linda - I borrowed Olive Kitteridge from my mom. She loved it, and I really liked it too. Hope you enjoy it!

That was a good overview of Olive Kitteridge, Amy.

#175: I am glad to hear that Matt is doing better. When Beth was attacked by a cat, she had to have multiple stitches. I hope Matt did not have to go through that, the little heartbreaker :)

#176: Nice review of Olive Kitteridge, Amy. I loved the multiple points of view of Olive used in the novel. After all, no one person is really seen the same by any two people are they?

Olive Kitteridge is on my wishlist but its also on 288 other peoples wishlists so I might not get my hands on a copy for a while! I feel it will be one of these books I will have to buy in order to read, and finances don't allow that at the moment.

One day though. Thanks for the lovely review :)

Olive Kitteridge jumped right on my list of favorite books - I thought Strout so precise and economical with words yet so gifted at bringing the reader immediately into the life and challenges of the characters. I look forward to reading it a second time.

Wow. Nice reviews here.

I loved Olive Kitteridge too. I identified a little too much with the grouchy ol' title character, I suppose, because I thought she was sweet.

>179 bonniebooks: - Thanks, Bonnie! Olive Kitteridge was a little hard to capture in a couple of paragraphs. There are so many perspectives in the book. I think I'll read it again soon.

>180 alcottacre: - Stasia - Nope, no stitches for Matt (thank goodness!). And I agree that seeing Olive from so many perspectives really helped round out the character.

>181 lunacat: - Jenny - I hope that you get to read it soon. I've also been trying to buy fewer books. I bought Olive Kitteridge as a Mother's Day gift for my mom, and then borrowed it back from her!

>182 orangeena: - Emily - That's it exactly! Strout is very precise with language. That was true of the other book I've read by her - Abide with Me - too, but I think her writing is even better in Olive Kitteridge. The connected short stories really work well for her.

>183 Rowan13: - Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon.

>184 Milda-TX: - Milda - I really liked Olive too. My mom says that she hopes to be Olive when she "grows up." (She 62 now!)

If I read Olive Kitteridge again, I'll probably like it much better now that I know it's supposed to be short stories. (The first time I read it, I thought it was a novel.)

ETA: I always liked Olive. She was flawed in ways that I could related to.

This morning, I was watching Saturday morning cartoons with my five-year-old. After about the 30th toy commercial, he remarked, "Why don't they advertise books?" A smart cookie, that one!

You're going to have to write that one down to quote back at him! Kids are so brilliant. I love what comes out of their mouths--well most of the time! ;-) If I were a mom of a young one now, I would teach him how to use TIVO--it would be so worth it to know that he's missing out on all those advertisements. Though, my younger son (now 23 yrs old!) sometimes seemed more interested in the commercials than the programs. I'd have to train him at an early age, so he wouldn't know what he was missing.

Bonnie - I know it! We have DVR and can fast forward through the commercials, but often we end up just watching them over and over. I have started keeping a One-Sentence Journal (an idea I got from a simplicity website) - I write just one sentence each night, and it is a good way to catch all of the "wisdom" that comes from my boys.

Book #95 - The Best Halloween Ever - Barbara Robinson - Finished November 6, 2009

One of my favorite books as a kid was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I read it to my kids last Christmas, and it was just as good as I remembered. Everyone thinks that the horrible Herdman kids are going to ruin the church Christmas pageant, but in the end, things turn out differently than expected.

So, imagine my delight when we found this book at the bookstore a week before Halloween. I tried to talk each of my boys into choosing it as their one book to buy, but when they each made other choices (and I had already picked out Wolf Hall), I made a new rule that I would buy it for the whole family. I read it aloud to this over the past couple of weeks, and we all enjoyed it.

Now, this book is definitely not as good as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The story is not as tightly written. And the suspenseful moments are somewhat transparent. But it is a good story about a group of kids who don't always obey the rules, but who really aren't that bad in the end.

My son wrote his book report on this book. It was an Interview the Characters book report. Here are a couple of the questions that he posed to the Herdmans:

Q: Why did you stuff kids in a revolving door so they got stuck?
A: We were bored.

Q: Why do you steal candy from other kids?
A: It's one of our hobbies.

My son gave the book a 10 (on a 10-point scale) because "You never know what the Herdmans will do."

Book #96 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: THe Last Straw - Jeff Kinney - Finished November 7, 2009

This is the third book in the Wimpy Kid series. When my eight-year-old brought home the fourth and most recent book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, from his book order, he was appalled that I hadn't yet read the third book. So, I picked it up this weekend. Another funny look at the life of Greg Heffley, a middle schooler who is not nearly as cool as he thinks he is.

Aw, I love The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! One of my favorite Christmas reads. The Halloween one sounds good, too... is November too late to read a Halloween book?

No, I say go for it!

>190 porch_reader:: What a great idea! What memories those sentences are going to bring up years later. I'm so jealous, but in a good way! I'm going to do that for my grandchildren--if and when my own boys get going and create some.

Bonnie - I'm bummed that I didn't start it earlier. My boys said so many funny things in preschool.

That is such a great idea. I have a horrible memory, so my sister has to remind me about some of the cutie-pie things my girls did...

I too love Diary Of A Wimpy Kid. We are on book two and it is so much fun to laugh and talk with my 10-year-old son. The cheese touch is priceless. I also got a kick out of Gregory and his friend being crossing guards for hot chocolate.

>197 Milda-TX: - Milda - So far, it's worked well for me. I've tried journaling before, but was never very consistent. But one sentence doesn't take much time!

>198 scarpettajunkie: - That's exactly what I like about the Wimpy Kid books. My son insists on reading them on his own, but then I read them too, and we talk about our favorite parts. I think he feels like we have inside jokes. Greg's little brother gives him a funny nickname in Book 3, and my eight-year-old laughed about that for days!

Book #97 - Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel - Finished November 9, 2009

There have been several excellent reviews of this book from 75ers lately, and I'm not sure that I have much to add. This winner of the Booker Prize tells the story of Thomas Cromwell and his role in the reign of Henry VIII. Like others, I loved this book, but it was not a fast read for me. I haven't read much about this historical period, and it took me a while to sort out all of the characters. But as I got more familiar with the characters and got into the rhythem of the book, it was hard for me to put this book down. I especially enjoyed the dialogue. Mantel did a wonderful job of conveying the nature of each character through their interactions with others. Highly recommended!

I was picking up my book requests from the library and noticed that the next person had scored a bunch of bestsellers, including Wolf Hall. Since I hadn't looked at it yet, I pulled it out and sat close by to read a few chapters. It starts out great, so am looking forward to reading it when it's my turn. (Only a couple hundred+ people ahead of me!)

Amy
Like you, I recently read Wolf Hall. I'm a Tudor junkie and thus the book was a fast read for me. However, I while I think it is written in a manner which lends to those who are not familiar with the period to understand the happenings during this particular historical period, I think there were parts that were cumbersome and might be difficult for those who are not Tudorphiles.

It was hard to put down!

On another topic, hang in there, the semester is almost over.

We live in a big small town with a gorgeous brand-spankin' new library that obviously has way too many empty shelves... no Wolf Hall in the inventory yet. *sigh*

Milda - I hope that your library gets Wolf Hall soon! My small town library just got it last week.

Book #98 - Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason - Nancy Pearl - Finished November 12, 2009

I do not need to add more books to my TBR list. All of you here on LT have add dozens and dozens of titles every week. But I got this book for Christmas last year. It is made up of a number of short sections beginning with "A. . . .My Name is Alice" (recommendations of books by authors named Alice). I had picked it up and skimmed a number of the sections from time to time, but finally sat down to read it through. It was a quick read.

Although Pearl does not provide much detail about the books, many of her recommendations intrigued me. I ended up with an index card with 48 books to add to my TBR. Here's just a sampling:

I Been in Sorrow's Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots by Susan Straight
Biggest Elvis by P. F. Kluge
The Eleventh Draft: Craft and Writing Life from the Iowa Writers' Workshop by Frank Conroy
The Bonehunter's Revenge by David Rains Wallace
Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Maria Vargos Llosa

So many books, so little time . . .

That sounds like a clever little Christmas gift book! I just love that first title!

Is it sick that I get an RSS feed of our library's new books so I can watch what's coming in? I can't believe I've become a library shelf stalker.

I love how Nancy Pearl talks about books and authors. You probably already know she is a Seattle librarian and started the "If all of (insert your city's name) read one book..." challenge that has spread all over the country. I've been lucky to have her come to my book group of only 6 women to recommend books.

Even though I feel a sense of pride and connection with Pearl, I've found that I don't love many of the books that she raves over. Or sometimes she recommends books by authors I love, but (imo) the wrong one! I've had much better luck with some of my LT friends. Her books are fun to peruse, but I would suggest searching for your favorite books in the index of one of her books to see what she says about them. If your thoughts/feelings don't match all that well, you may not find her recs that useful.

P.S. I just love the title of I've Been in Sorrow's Kitchen.... I'm going to read that book just for the title alone.

I have used Pearl's book as a springboard (along with the help of LT, of course) in broadening my reading horizons. Some of the books she mentions I would never had come across on my own.

I agree, Book Lust is a gem. I rec'd. this as a present and refer to it often.

>200 porch_reader: I'm glad to find someone else who didn't find Wolf Hall to be a fast read. I am reading it now and enjoying it, but I'll be on it awhile because I'm not real familiar with the period and am constantly referring to the list of characters and family trees.

#200/210: No, Wolf Hall is not a fast read. Mantel's writing style is original and slightly quirky. She refers to Cromwell as "he" so often, that I sometimes have to go back a bit and determine who she's talking about. But the language is gorgeous and I, for one, am enjoying the lush, slowly unfolding story.
This is one of only two hardcover books I've bought this year (The Help was the other) and I really do feel like I'm getting my money's worth! I have a feeling that when I do finish, I just might wish it would go on and on.

Amy

I'm stopping by to thank you for recommending Abide With Me. I finished it this evening. It is a wonderful, wonderful book!

Well, The Help was the only book I bought as a hardbound, but I waited a month and still got it used. I'm hoping I'll be able to find a used copy of Wolf Hall pretty soon as I don't think I'll be able to wait until next fall to read it with all these rave reviews.

Bonniebooks: Amazon has just reduced its price for Wolf Hall to $11.75 and you can get it used for $8.99. I was amazed when I saw The Help for sale for $10.50 through them. They must be trying to compete with Costco and Walmart. I've never seen hardcovers for such low prices. Hold out a little longer and it could get reduced more!

Thanks, Anne! Good information. I've managed to avoid Amazon so far, but it gets harder all the time. Even though it brings needed revenue to my city and state, I still want my local independent stores to survive, so I'll put in the extra effort to look for it at Third Place Books.

Hi everybody - I'm always excited to see new posts on my threads!

>207 bonniebooks: - Bonnie - I can't believe that Nancy Pearl has made recommendations to your book club. That's awesome!

>208 alcottacre: & 209 - Stasia and Linda - No wonder several of Pearl's recommendations sounded familiar. I must have seen some of them on your threads (where I get so many of my recs).

>210 brenzi: & 211 - Brenzi and Anne - It's good to hear others' experiences with Wolf Hall. I did buy it, partly because I think that my mom will love it (I passed it on to her last weekend) and partly because I had a coupon!

>212 Whisper1: - Linda - Yea! I'm glad that you enjoyed Abide with Me. You've given me so many good recs, so I'm glad to repay the favor.

>213 bonniebooks: - Bonnie - Good luck with finding a used copy of Wolf Hall. I'm lucky to have the best used book store a block and a half from my office. It's such a fun place to browse.

>214 AnneH: - Anne - I've noticed that Amazon has had some good deals lately. That's a pretty smart strategy. Whenever I buy one book there, I always end up with a couple more in my cart too!

Re Amazon book deals. They have been having some killer deals because of, well, I'm not sure why. Clearing warehouses? Price wars with Wal-Mart? I have now gotten 15 books for less than a dollar in the last month. These are new books that ship from Amazon (not third party sellers) with free shipping if that's the option I choose. The ones I've received aren't even remainders. I have one in my cart now for 2 cents. The only way I know how to find them is checking the best sellers in the bargain section. They usually show up there. Click on one of the cheap ones and then check the 'customers that bought this also bought' feature. Some only last a few hours but a few stay in stock for a few days. They run the gamut from children's books to university presses to fiction to really lame stuff like 2008 tax return guides.

VG - Wow! Those are good deals. Thanks for the heads up!

Book #99 - Admission - Jean Hanff Korelitz - Finished November 20, 2009

I saw this on lindapanzo's Monthly Bests right before I went to the library last week. When I saw it on the new book shelf, I grabbed it.

This is the story of Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University. When we meet Portia, she is traveling to high schools in the Northeast, reading thousands of application essays, and making hard decisions about who will get in, who will get wait-listed, and who will get the thin envelopes with the "admission denied" letters. She lives with her long-time boyfriend Mark, a professor in the English department, and goes to dinner parties, but her work is the center of her life.

As the story unfolds through "reading season" (the time when applications are reviewed), we learn more about Portia and about the decisions she made when she was young. When past decisions come back to haunt her, she is forced to look up from the stacks of applications and focus on her own life decisions. (OK, that's really vague, but I don't want to give anything away.)

I really liked this book. Korelitz does not let her prose get in the way of the story. In Portia, she has created a character who is flawed, but ultimately likable (at least in my opinion). And although I saw the plot twists coming from way down the road, the story is engaging.

But, most of all, I am fascinated by reading about people's work lives. I'm a management professor and I research how work experiences influence people and organizations. In Admission, Korelitz reveals the ups and downs of life as an admissions officer. She worked as a part-time reader for Princeton's Office of Admission for two years while writing this book, and the book paints a very clear picture of the difficulty of the decisions that must be made. It was fascinating to read about the stories behind the envelopes that arrive in the mailboxes of high school seniors each spring.

Admission has been on my wish list, and now that my daughter has been accepted into her 'dream school' (Baylor) maybe I no longer have to be too nervous to actually read it. ha. But uh-oh, please tell me there are no heartbreaking financial-aid-decision stories in the book that will start up the insomnia again...

Milda - You are safe! There are no heartbreaking financial-aid decision stories. And congrats to your daughtor - Baylor is a great school!

porch_reader, Warning- going a bit goody two shoes. Since the economy is bad in so many areas of the US, I've been using Amazon for those cheap books to give to charities. Two local ones have programs running featuring new books for children that otherwise might not receive them. Earlier, I got some pop-up Superman and pop-up dragon books from Amazon. I think they were $1.18 each. They didn't last long but I snagged mine. I'll likely end up giving around 100 to 150 books away for less than $250. It would have been a lot fewer books if I had to pay retail or pay for shipping charges.

Wow! Aren't you a nice person, VG! Good idea!

VG - That a great idea! We buy gifts for kids on the Angel Tree at our local bank, and that would be a great way to add some books to each package!

bonniebooks & porch_reader- thanks, I'm generally uncomfortable revealing my good deeds online, or in person, but I thought this use of Amazon might be picked up by a couple of other people also. For those that don't think Amazon is the devil anyway.

>222 VisibleGhost: Thanks for that suggestion. At our school we adopt a family every Christmas and collect food and gifts for them so this will make for a great addition.

>225 VisibleGhost:: I'm really glad you suggested that. And, btw, even though I don't use Amazon, it's primarily because I don't have to. I live in Seattle, a mile from a Barnes and Noble and a couple of miles from two really excellent independent book stores, including one where I get a 20% discount (because I'm a teacher) on top of the discounted price on a used copy or a remainder price. Plus, I have access to a good library system. If I couldn't easily get any book I want, believe me I would be on Amazon in a flash! I just selfishly want to keep my independent bookstores open because they're my favorite place to shop.

Bonnie

I attended a college media advisers conference in Seattle a few years ago. I fell in love with your beautiful, clean city! I was there in August and it did not rain at all the entire week! The students loved roaming around the town and I didn't have to worry about their safety.

Glad you had good weather for your trip to Seattle, Whisper. People don't realize that we usually have a very dry summer from mid-July through August and often into September. And August was hot, too hot for me! Boy, we sure are getting the pouring rain this fall though--definitely earning our reputation as the rainy city.

Book #100 - A Fatal Grace - Louise Penny - Finished November 24, 2009

Usually, when I'm reading a series of books, I space them out. But, I could not wait to read this second book in the Three Pines Mystery series. I loved this one as much as the first.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to the village of Three Pines to investigate the murder of CC de Poitiers, a woman that no one liked. All of the best elements of the first book are back. The residents of Three Pines are fascinating and likeable people. I especially enjoyed getting to know Mother Bea, Em, and Kaye, three of the town's older residents who figure prominently in this story. The plot of the book kept me reading until late into the night. The way that Gamache puts the clues together was amazing. I was always at least one step behind him.

In addition to the main storyline, we also learn more about Gamache and his past with the Surete. The books ends with a bit of a cliffhanger that makes me want to run to the library to get the next book in this series.

Book 100! Many congratulations.

Congratulations on 100 books! A lot of yours end up on my list--part of me wants to say STOP and the other part says "Keep 'em coming!"

Congratulations on reaching 100 books! Wow and I have to add these Three Pines mysteries to my list. So many LTers have raved about them.

Congratulations on hitting 100, Amy!

As far as the Three Pines series goes, IMHO the books improve as you continue along in the series. I just finished book 5, The Brutal Telling and as far as I was concerned, it was a 5-star read.

Congratulations Amy!

Congratulations on reaching 100 books!

okay after both you and Stasia raving about this series, I MUST get my hands on it!

Thanks, everyone! I don't think I've ever read 100 books in a year. (I've only been keeping track for the past three years.) But, I've had to read more to keep up with all of the great recs that I get from you!

I've had to read more to keep up with all of the great recs that I get from you!

Isn't that the truth! Congratulations!

Book #101 - The Wednesday Wars - Gary D. Schmidt - Finished November 29, 2009

I put this on my TBR list after seeing Alaskabookworm's review, and then Whisper's comments prompted me to move it to the top of the pile. I'm SO glad that I did!

Many of you have read this book recently or know the general story. Holling Hoodhood (what a great name!) is a seventh grader in 1967-68. The only Presbyterian in a class of Catholic and Jewish students, he has to spend every Wednesday afternoon alone with his teacher Mrs. Baker while his classmates go to religious instruction. The first two sentences of the book leave no question about Holling's relationship with Mrs. Baker:

"Of all the kids in the seventh grade at Camillo Junior High, there was one kid that Mrs. Baker hated with heat whiter than the sun. Me."

Those two sentences tell us a lot about Holling in general. He lives his life in superlatives. He goes from being the class hero to the class goat and back again in a matter of pages. Like many seventh graders, the events of his own life take on extreme importance, while the events of history occupy the background. As we go from September to May with Holling, his relationship with Mrs. Baker improves, he becomes a hero of stage and track, and he gets the girl. Schmidt tells a compelling story, but his real talent is in writing about relationships. Through the smallest details, we see Holling's relationships develop with Mrs. Baker, with his sister, and with his dad.

But even more interesting is the way in which Schmidt layers the events of 1967-68 in the background of Holling's story. Mrs. Baker's husband is away at war, as are many other family members and friends of the staff Camillo Junior High. Holling's sister embraces the peace movement, and even Holling's dad pauses when assassinations rock the country. Schmidt shows us these events through the eyes of a seventh grader, capturing the essence of this period in history.

This book is funny and sad and rings true with each word. I finished it in a marathon reading session after my family was asleep last Sunday night. With tears rolling down my face, I felt lucky to have seen the world through the eyes of Holling Hoodhood, if only for a year.

Book #102 - Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott - Finished December 2, 2009

It was Blackdogbooks' excellent review of Bird by Bird that put this book solidly on my TBR list. Anne Lamott's thin book on writing was a joy to read. Reading this book is like having a long cup of coffee with a wise mentor. She is funny and insightful. But best of all, she is willing to share all that she has learned about writing - the ups and the downs.

Lamott does provide a wealth of practical advice - including writing s****y first drafts and writing about what you can see through a one-inch frame. But she is also philosophical about writing. She downplays the goal of publication. Instead she talks about writing for the sake of exploration, as a way to learn more about yourself and the world.

I am not a writer. Well, that's not exactly true. I write academic journal articles, but nothing could be further from beautiful literature. But Lamott's idea of writing to become more aware of the world resonated with me. Maybe I'll never write a published novel, but this book made me want to write more - just for me.

Book #103 - When Santa Fell to Earth - Cornelia Funke - Finished December 3, 2009

This was an impulse buy at the bookstore. I've been trying to get in the habit of reading out loud to my boys every night (even though they insist that they can read to themselves). And when I saw this one, I thought they might like it.

This book is an original Christmas story. Niklas Goodfellow is a good Santa who falls to earth one night when fleeing from a bad Santa, Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, and his Nutcracker goons. Two children, Ben and Charlotte, band together with Niklas, his two angels, and his team of elves to try to save Christmas.

The story itself was interesting enough to elicit cries of "One more chapter, please!" The action keeps moving until the final chapter. Funke also includes a number of clever details about Christmas. For example, Santa learns what children want for Christmas from angels who listen to children's dreams. And, the elves cuss. Yes, you read that right. They are gruff little workers, and when faced with trouble, they have been known to exclaim, "Steaming reindeer poo!" Or "stinky goblin farts." (Pardon my French.) This was my kids' favorite part of the story, and it is sure to show up in the book report that my third grader will be writing tomorrow.

What a fun book!! This has become one of our holiday favorites.

I agree wholeheartedly with your review of Bird by Bird - great job!

Love your review of Bird by Bird. Makes me want to read it again.

Well, I thought I was going to make it through the last few reads of yours without having to add anything to the BlackHole (I have already read both The Wednesday Wars and Bird by Bird), but no - you had to read When Santa Fell to Earth and now I have to add it!

Porch, I am really glad you enjoyed Bird by Bird. She is inspiring, and I hope you do write more, just for you. I have started doing that and it is a lot of fun.

I ordered When Santa Fell to Earth off Amazon. I hope it gets here in time for Christmas, as it sounds perfect to read to my 10-year-old son.

I love your review of Bird by Bird - I'm "not a writer" in a similar vein to you, and feel inspired to look out for this now. Thank you.

I'm so glad you loved The Wednesday Wars!!!! It made me cry too. Several times. The scene with Mickey Mantle really got to me. But it was ALL great. Bird by Bird is an awesome book too. Her book Travelling Mercies, while about faith rather than writing is excellent, though may not be quite as universally appealing as the former.

When Santa Fell to Earth goes onto the holiday wishlist!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

>243 BookAngel_a: & 244 - Thanks, Angela & Boniie!

>245 alcottacre:, 247 & 250 - Stasia, Deirdra, and Eliza - I'll be interested to hear what you think of When Santa Fell to Earth. It was a great read-aloud. And I just got another of Funke's books, one of the Ghosthunter's series, from the library.

>246 blackdogbooks: - Mac - I'm glad to hear you are writing more. Your review of Bird by Bird was really influential in guiding me toward the book. And, I think I picked it up at exactly the right time for me.

>248 FlossieT: - Rachael - I'll be interested to hear what you think of Bird by Bird.

>249 alaskabookworm: - Linda - I haven't read Travelling Mercies, but I did read Grace (Eventually) and liked it. And the Mickey Mantle scene really got me too - as did the scene with his Holling's sister when she was calling from Minneapolis. Such a good book!

Book #104 - Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery - Deborah Howe - Finished December 10, 2009

Thanks to Fourpawz for this recommendation! I'd never read any of the Bunnicula books and decided to read this one aloud to my boys. We all loved it!

The story is told from the point of view of Harold, a dog who lives with the Monroe family and Chester, a cat. One evening, the Monroes bring home a bunny that they found at the movie theater while watching Dracula. The Monroes name the bunny Bunnicula. Chester, who is incredibly well read, begins to notice some unusual things about Bunnicula. He sleeps all day, is awake all night, and appears to suck the color out of vegetables. But the Monroes are clueless. Can Chester and Harold protect their family and save the day?

Howe does an excellent job of creating the characters of Chester and Harold. Harold is lovable, but slightly clueless. Chester is smart with a biting wit. My boys loved the suspense and the funny dialogue (although they missed some of the Dracula references). My third grade son gave it an 8/10 on his book report (which I believe is a point higher than he gave Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). We'll definitely read more in this series.

Book #105 - The Reptile Room - Lemony Snicket - Finished December 10, 2009

It is almost final exam time (which is less stressful as a professor than it was as a student, but still a busy time of year). So, I needed a quick humorous read to fit in among all of the other tasks. This one fit the bill.

As with the first book in A Series of Unfortunate Events, I was appalled by the trials and tribulations faced by the Baudelaire Children. In this book, they go to live Dr. Montgomery Montgomery, a distant relative and herpatologist. Uncle Monty, as he invites the children to call him, is a wonderful guardian. The children have their own rooms and are preparing for a trip to Peru. But just when you think they've caught a break, disaster strikes again.

The books in this series are quick reads and quite enjoyable.

Book #106 - Something Torn and New: An African Renaissance - Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o - Finished December 11, 2009

You all know that your TBR list is sure to grow when you visit Darryl's (kidzdoc's) thread. That's where I found out about Something Torn and New. Thanks, Darryl!

This slim volume is based on a series of lectures given by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. In it, he discusses how Africa has been affected by colonialization, slave trade, and globalization. Because memory resides in language, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o suggests that the replacement of native African languages with European ones has resulted in the "dismembering" of Africa. If Africa is to re-member and become whole again, African languages must be resurrected.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o paints a hopeful picture for the future of Africa. He proposes that an African renaissance has already begun. He brings together the ideas of philosophers and poets, politicians and social activists to support his discussion about the challenges that Africa faces in recovering its identity and to assure us that remembering is possible.

Thanks for the compliment! I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I haven't read it yet, but I'll get to it soon.

After having read Wizard of the Crow which made my 'memorable reads' list of the year, I am definitely up for reading more of Thiong'o's work. Thanks for the recommendation, Amy!

Porch,

246, 251 - "I picked it up at just the right time for me." That comment grabbed my curious bone?

Yeah, I am writing more and I feel a little guilty when I pop in here on the threads and it takes me an hour to get through all of the unread posts. I think of how much I could've gotten done on my current writing project. It's gotten me to realize that I want to minimize my LT activity a bit next year in favor of writing. I will still probably read some threads, though I'll probably seriously reduce the ones I star. Just the old favorites like you.

I have also had a few of my reviews posted on a book blog this year. the lady who runs it saw some of my reviews here and asked me to review books for her. I just had my Beg, Borrow, and Steal review posted on her blog yesterday. It means more responsibility reading but it is a chance to write and see what others think of the writing.

I just got Wizard of the Crow from the library yesterday. Sounds like this book of fiction covers many of the same themes.

#257 -amen! I got hooked online last night, updating my moocher wishlist because of all you guyzes recommendations and checking against what our library has.... ugh, I didn't get to finish my book! And I REALLY want to know what happens! Aggravating.

>257 blackdogbooks: - Mac - Bird by Bird came at the right time for me because I'm in a bit of a transition in my life. My baby started kindergarten this year, and I am being considered for tenure at the University of Iowa. Both of these events have made me somewhat reflective, and Lamott's advice about how to use writing as a form of reflection just made a lot of sense for me.

And I am so excited to hear that you are writing reviews for a book blog. That's amazing. It's great that you are reaching an audience beyond your fans among the 75ers.

>257 blackdogbooks: & 259 - And I know exactly what you mean about spending time on LT vs. other pressing activities. I really do love keeping up with what everyone else is reading. It has definitely enriched my reading this year. If only I could ask Santa for a couple of more hours in every day.

>256 alcottacre: & 258 - Stasia and Bonnie - I haven't read Wizard of the Crow yet, but it's on my TBR list!

>257 blackdogbooks: - Mac - Bird by Bird came at the right time for me because I'm in a bit of a transition in my life. My baby started kindergarten this year, and I am being considered for tenure at the University of Iowa. Both of these events have made me somewhat reflective, and Lamott's advice about how to use writing as a form of reflection just made a lot of sense for me.

And I am so excited to hear that you are writing reviews for a book blog. That's amazing. It's great that you are reaching an audience beyond your fans among the 75ers.

>257 blackdogbooks: & 259 - And I know exactly what you mean about spending time on LT vs. other pressing activities. I really do love keeping up with what everyone else is reading. It has definitely enriched my reading this year. If only I could ask Santa for a couple of more hours in every day.

>256 alcottacre: & 258 - Stasia and Bonnie - I haven't read Wizard of the Crow yet, but it's on my TBR list!

Book #107 - The Lacuna - Barbara Kingsolver - Finished December 11, 2009

Another amazing novel by Barbara Kingsolver. In The Lacuna, she tells the story of Harrison Shepherd. When we meet him in 1929, Harrison and his mother have just left his father in the United States and are living in Isla Pixol, Mexico. Throughout his youth, he moves often, to Mexico City with his mother, to a boarding school in the United States, and then back to Mexico. Shepherd is often on the frontlines of history, spending time with the Bonus Army during the Great Depression in Washington, D.C., mixing plaster for Diego Rivera, befriending Rivera’s wife Frida Kahlo, and working as a secretary for Lev Trotsky. After tragedy hits Trotsky, Shepherd moves back the United States and realizes his dream of becoming a published author.

There is so much that I liked about this book – it is hard to know where to begin. First, Harrison Shepherd is an interesting main character. Although the story is mainly told from his point of view, I felt as though I got to know him very slowly. His focus is more on the people around him than it is on his own story. He leads his life in the shadow of others and even as he becomes a published author, he shrinks from being the focus of attention. Yet, through his writings and his relationships, we gradually come to know him well. We also get an incredibly vivid picture of the other people in his life. I was especially fascinated by his stenographer, Violet Brown.

Second, the book is written in a variety of formats – letters, journals, memoir, news clippings, and notes from an archivist who put the pieces of the story together. This change of format is an integral part of the story, and Kingsolver does an excellent job in varying her style to match the format. For example, the journals from Shepherd’s adult years are written in a much different voice from those of his youth.

And the story itself is well crafted. Kingsolver seamlessly weaves in current events with Harrison’s own story. Suspense mounts as Harrison deals with the challenges that face him. Kingsolver masterfully controls the pace and even the book’s ending doesn’t resolve all of the suspense. This is only one part of the significance of the book’s title. Lacuna is defined as a gap or missing part (dictionary.com), and in the way that she shares Shepherd’s story, Kingsolver constantly challenges her readers to fill in the gaps.

Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors, but this book is different from her others. It is a both a sweeping saga and an intimate portrait. It is less hopeful than her earlier work (like The Bean Trees). But through Shepherd, Kingsolver speaks with a voice that is honest and mature and captivating. I hope that this book, her first work of fiction in nine years, is followed by many more.

Great review! Sounds like a great way to revisit some history lessons!

Yes, a great review indeed! I hadn't planned to get this one, but I think I'll add it to my wish list.

Glad you liked The Lacuna. I just bought a copy on a warehouse site with a signed bookplate. Looking forward to reading it. So's the wife. She likes Frieda.

I get the writing as reflection thing. It's refreshing, isn't it. Don't sweat the tenure.

#262: Nice review, Amy! I already have The Lacuna in the BlackHole, but I think I will bump it up some.

Great review of The Lacuna. I loved it too. I've been a huge Kingsolver fan for years and I see you mentioned my personal favorite The Bean Trees. I'm hoping for more from her too.:-)

Thanks, everybody! I really did enjoy The Lacuna. It's kind of hard to get engaged in another book after reading such a great one. I feel like I need a palette cleanser!

Thanks for your review of The Lacuna. I must admit I hadn't been that keen based on the reviews I'd read (all positive, just not compelling, personally speaking) but the 'hook' for me is the change of formats - sounds great.

Rachael - I liked the change of formats too. It kept a rather long story fresh and interesting!

Book #108 - The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls - Finished December 14, 2009

I had avoided reading this book since it came out. A number of times, I have picked it up and read the synopsis on the back. But a memoir about a dysfunctional childhood is not the type of book that I usually read. I was afraid that it would be too dark. But my mom bought it, read it, and gave it to me with the instructions to "Read this next." Even at 37 years old, I generally follow advice from my mom, and I'm quite glad that I did.

Walls describes a childhood that I wish no child had to endure. She and her family move around a lot and often lack basic necessities such as food and heat. I was constantly frustrated with her parents, her overly optimistic mother and her alcoholic father.

But I could not put this book down. Walls was a resilient child, and I found myself rooting for her and her siblings. They stuck together and protected one another. Additionally, Walls' perspective on her situation made this a compelling book. She does not sugar coat the challenges that she faced growing up. It is clear that she has been affected by her upbringing. But she also shares some fond memories of her family. In the end, we are left with a complex portrait of Walls' family and a sense of amazement at Jeannette's ability to tell her story with perspective and hope.

Book #109 - Night Train to Memphis - Elizabeth Peters - Finished December 15, 2009

I read the first in the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters earlier this year and really liked it. So, when I saw Night Train to Memphis on the audio shelf at my library, I checked it out.

This is the fifth book in the Vicky Bliss series. Vicky works for the Munich National Museum and is asked to pose as an Egyptian art expert on a cruise so that she can help spot a thief who is planning to rob the Cairo Museum. Vicky's sometime lover and art thief, John, is on the cruise and she immediately assumes that he is the culprit. But as the evidence unfolds, Vicky begins to doubt her initial suspicions. As she attempts to sort through the clues, she is joined on the cruise by her boss, Schmidt. They face down danger together as the plot unfolds.

This was a good mystery, but the story unfolded a bit slowly for me. Perhaps this was because I was listening rather than reading. When reading, I have more control, and can skim a bit if things get slow. I also generally prefer to read a series in order. I picked this one up without reading the first four because it was the only one available on audio at my library. I might have gotten more involved with the storyline if I'd already developed a relationship with the characters. But, on the plus side, Vicky's boss Schmidt was hilarious. If he's in the other books, I'll definitely give this series another try.

Uh-oh. Is this one of those series you have to read in order or can you just read this one? VERY tempted but can't face investing in another mystery series.

Rachael - I haven't read any of the others, and I had no problem following the plot. But it took me a long time to warm up to the characters. I think that may have been because I hadn't read the previous four books in the series.

I know what you mean about series - I'm in the middle of about 8 different ones right now. I just keep finding more good ones, but never finish the ones I start!

#272: Amy, Schmidt is in all the books. You really must start at the beginning of the series to find out how he comes into Vicky's life. It is a hoot!

I'm gonna try out that amelia series - just requested Crocodile on the Sandbank from my library. Thanks for the review and the 'hoot' recommendation!

#276: Milda, the Amelia Peabody and Vicky Bliss series are 2 separate series by Elizabeth Peters. Schmidt is in the Vicky Bliss series - but the Peabody series is my favorite.

Oh No! I must've looked this up goofily (is that a word... where's that dictionary...) on Amazon. Well shoot, I guess I'll have to try both amelia and vicky then won't I!

#278: Yes, you will! I hope you enjoy them both.

>275 alcottacre: - Stasia - Well that seals the deal. I guess I'm going to have to go back and start the Vicky Bliss series at the beginning. Schmidt will make it worth it!

>276 Milda-TX: - Milda - I hope you like Crocodile on the Sandbank. That's the one I read from the Amelia Peabody series. I've been meaning to check out the second one soon.

Amy

I'm way behind on reading the posts and tonight I am making a concerted effort to make a dent.

The end of semester details have left me very weary, but I'm now finished and looking forward to a break.

I loved your comments regarding The Wednesday Wars. You really captured the essence of this marvelous book. I laughed, I cried and the book still haunts me.

You are reading many great books at a fast clip! Congratulations.

I hope the tenure process is going well! You deserve the best!

Hi Linda! I'm so glad that the end of semester details are done for you. I just submitted final grades for all of my classes, so I'm feeling that sense of relief too! Now, it's on to making candy and baking cookies and wrapping presents - the fun stuff!

I have you to thank for pushing The Wednesday Wars to the top of my list. It is definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

No news yet on the tenure process, but I'll find out more in the spring. My husband, who now teaches parttime at the University, may get a full-time position for next fall. So, we're hoping for good news for both of us this spring.

Linda, it is so nice to hear from you. I hope that you have a joyous and restful holiday season!

#280: IMO, the first book in the Vicky Bliss series is the weakest, but I hope you will stick with it. Schmidt is delightful throughout the series. I mean, it's not great literature or anything, but I just like it because it is a fun series. If you can, get your hands on the audiobooks - Barbara Rosenblat does a terrific Schmidt!

Book #110 - A Whole New Mind - Daniel Pink - Finished December 21, 2009

According to Pink, the world is changing. We are moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age, a world in which the aptitudes of "high concept" (the ability to detect opportunities and combine ideas into something new) and "high touch" (the ability to empathize with others) are prized. These changes have three causes - Asia, abundance, and automation. As routine work is increasingly automated or done overseas and as abundance causes consumers to search for meaning, employers are increasingly looking for people who are able to be creative and to make connections with other human beings. Pink proposes that success in this Conceptual Age requires using the right brain as well as the left, and he outlines six abilities that will help us do just that.

I teach innovation and leadership classes, so much of the evidence that Pink summarizes was not new to me. However, he does an excellent job bringing the evidence together in a way that supports his contention that right-brain capabilities are necessary in today's world. The book is an easy read because he presents evidence in the form of stories. Interspersed between chapters are very practical resources to help develop the creative and empathic skills that describes.

This book has an important message for businesses and for individuals who want to develop marketable skills. As a parent, I also thought a lot about the implications of Pink's ideas for our educational systems (although that is not his focus).

#284: That one looks interesting. I will see if I can locate a copy. Thanks for the recommendation, Amy.

>284 porch_reader: wow, this sounds really interesting. I imagine that the evidence you mention would all be quite new to me, and I'm eager to hear about it. Onto the list...

Hi! I had lost track of your thread, but when you visited my thread today, I decided to look you up. You've read some really great books since I stopped by last! I was particularly interested in your comments on Olive Kitteridge, as our book discussion group at the library is reading it for January.

Abide with Me sounds very good, too. I really must read that one!

Sounds great! I could have sworn this was already on my wishlist. Oh well, it's on there now with your name on it. Thanks!

boook #110 sounds fascinating!

>285 alcottacre:, 286, 288, 289 - Stasia, Rachael, Bonnie, and Linda - I hope that you enjoy A Whole New Mind (when it bubbles up to the top of your TBR lists). I used to be an accountant and am very much a left-brained thinker (logical, analytical), so I thought Pink's tips on how to develop the right-brained creative/conceptual side were quite useful.

>287 tymfos: - Terri - I'm glad you stopped by! I'll be interested to hear how you and your book discussion group like Olive Kitteridge. I think it is one of those books that should generate a lot of discussion!

Amy
We have a lot in common. One of my accomplishments is an accounting degree, obtained as a adult while raising children and working full time. While I use the skills in my job to enable the newspaper and yearbook to cover expenses and aim for some time of reserve, I've never had a nine-five job as an accountant. I was going to sit for the CPA exam just for the heck of it, but then life got in the way.

>291 Whisper1: - Linda - I didn't know you had an accounting degree. You are a jack of all trades! I started out as an accountant - I had a Bachelors with majors in accounting and math - and worked in public accounting and internal audit for five years before going back to school to get my Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management. But I still find that I think like an accountant!

I hope that you are getting ready for a wonderful holiday!

Book #111 - Ghosthunters and the Gruesome Invincible Lightning Ghost - Cornelia Funke - Finished December 22, 2009

After reading When Santa Fell to Earth aloud to my kids, we wanted to try something else by Cornelia Funke. The Ghosthunters series sounded interesting, but our local library only had this one, which is the 2nd book in the series, so we jumped in there. (Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost is the first in the series.)

Hetty Hyssop is a seasoned ghosthunter. Together with her young assistant Tom and their ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost) Hugo, she is called to a seaside hotel that is being haunted by a ghost. When they arrive, the ghosthunters realize that the hotel manager, Alvin Bigshot, has not been entirely honest with them. The problem is much bigger than they realized. Hetty, Tom, and Hugo have to use all of their ghosthunting skills in this battle.

My 3rd grade son liked this book (although not as well as When Santa Fell to Earth). There is some suspense and excitement as Hetty and her team fight the ghosts. Hetty herself is a fun character - a little indignant when people don't take her seriously and always in charge of the situation. Hugo the ASG brings some humor to the story. I wish Tom had a bigger role. I think that my son would have identified with him if his character had more depth. But in all, this was an enjoyable book.

Merry Christmas Amy!

Thanks, Linda! I hope you had a wonderful holiday too!

Book #112 - Last Night in Twisted River - John Irving - Finished December 23, 2009

I read my first John Irving book, A Prayer for Owen Meany, earlier this year. I enjoyed it, but hadn't planned to rush out and get Last Night in Twisted River - at least not until it came out in paperback - but I happened upon a copy on the new book shelf of my local library and could not pass it up.

This story was captivating. From the first pages, I was drawn into the story of Dominic Baciagalupo, a cook in a logging camp, and his twelve-year-old son Danny. After an accident involving the girlfriend of an abusive constable, Dominic and Danny have to flee their home in Twisted River. They spend the next fifty years looking over their shoulders as they attempt to elude capture.

The book is written in six sections as Irving follows Dominic and Danny from decade to decade. At the beginning of each section, Irving holds many secrets about the events that have occurred since the previous section. He gradually reveals these events, driving the story forward by creating and resolving our suspense.

To enjoy this book, you have to be willing to suspend some disbelief. Some of the events in the book are beyond belief while others seem a bit too coincidental. But for readers willing to do this, the payoff is great. Rarely have I read about a father-son relationship that is as complex and deep as the relationship between Dominic and Danny. Irving also introduces us to a number of minor characters who are as well-developed as those around whom the story revolves. A number of themes are woven into the story - exploring the pain of loss, the crippling effects of fear, and the ways in which an event that takes only a few seconds can influence an entire life. Because one of the characters is a writer, we also learn a bit about Irving's thoughts on the writing process.

The book is at once a meditation on the course of an entire life and an in-depth examination of its day-to-day details. It is beautifully written. Irving is clearly a master of his craft.

Book #113 - Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, P.S. So Does May - Barbara Park - Finished December 25, 2009

This was a re-read for me. I read it to my older son when he was in kindergarten. When my younger son, who is now in kindergarten, selected this book from his December Scholastic Book Order, I couldn't wait to read it to him. In fact, the whole family listened to the antics of Junie B. Jones, a first grader who, some might say, calls 'em like she sees 'em. In this book, Junie B.'s goody-goody classmate May is always getting Junie B. in trouble. Can May and Junie B. work out their differences? Well, it is the season of peace and goodwill. . .

My family laughed out loud at this book. In fact, I had to read Chapter 5 to them three times! This is a great beginning chapter book.

Book #114 - Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson - Finished December 27, 2009

I hadn't read this book since I was a kid. It is a classic adventure stories - filled with swashbucklin' pirates, twists of fate, buried treasure, and plenty of suspense. It was past time for a re-read of this book!

awwww, we love Junie B. too!
Thinking I need to pick up Treasure Island - I don't remember ever reading that one. Darn it, and you make Twisted River sound so good too... did you ever read The World According to Garp? I loved that crazy book, a long long time ago....

>296 porch_reader:: I'm glad you enjoyed the latest from one of my favorite authors. I was so honored to get an ER copy of Last Night in Twisted River and it ended up making my Top Ten list of 2009, although Owen Meany will always have a special place in my heart.

Milda and Donna - I am definitely going to read more of Irving in 2010. The two books that I read by him this year - A Prayer for Owen Meany and Last Night in Twisted River - both ended up on my Top Ten Fiction for 2009. Maybe I'll try The World According to Garp next.

Book #115 - The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery - Finished December 30, 2009

When I was about 2/3rd’s of the way through this book, I started writing my review in my head. “Barbery is a great writer,” I thought. “The story is artfully told in two different voices. Renee is a concierge in an upscale residential building, and Paloma is a twelve-year-old resident in the building. While Renee is struggling to conceal who she really is and play the part of a concierge, Paloma is struggling to figure out who she is and is contemplating suicide. The deep thoughts of both of these characters made me think about important issues like identity and the meaning of life. But,” I thought, as I neared page 200, “this is a good book, but not a great one. I just can't bring myself to really feel close to these characters.”

How wrong I was! In the final 100 pages of the book, the characters begin to pop off the pages. As they form relationships with each other and with a new resident in the building, they learn more about themselves. Through the eyes of others, I came to really care about these characters and to understand the challenges that they faced not just in my head, but also in my heart. The ending of the book took me by surprise, but it was an appropriate ending to this unusual book. This is one of those books that I expect will stick with me for a long while.

OK, that is probably the last book that I'll finish in 2009. It's been a great year. This is the most books that I've read in a year since I started keeping track. And I'm reading more books that I really love - thanks to your recommendations!

Because I've read so many great books this year, I'm having trouble picking my favorites. But I think I've settled on the top 5 fiction, nonfiction, and young adult/juvenile books from 2009.

Top 5 Fiction:
The Lacuna - Barbara Kingsolver
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Krik? Krak! - Edwidge Danticat
Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri
Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout

Top 5 Non-fiction:
The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls
The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, An American Town - Warren St. John
Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity - Adam Hamilton
Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott

Top 5 YA/Juvenile:
The Wednesday Wars - Gary D. Schmidt
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
The Giver - Lois Lowry
The BFG - Roald Dahl
When Santa Fell to Earth - Cornelia Funke

Then, just because I can't bear to leave them out. . .

10 Other Good Books I Read in 2009:
Last Night in Twisted River - John Irving
Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese
Still Life - Louise Penny
The Rope Walk - Carrie Brown
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
Wolf Hall - Hillary Mantel
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery
Song Yet Sung - James McBride
Captain Freedom: A Superhero's Quest for Truth, Justice, and the Celebrity He So Richly Deserves - G. Xavier Robillard
Little Bee - Chris Cleave

And here's a link to my 2010 thread. Hope to see you there! Happy New Year!

Heh, heh took the chicken's way out I see. I can't narrow my list either. I read so many good books this year that it's just amazing. We have some favorites in common: The Lacuna, Olive Kitteridge, The Glass Castle, Cutting for Stone, Wolf Hall, and The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Nice list :-) I couldn't get it down to just 5 either - but isn't it great to think what a fantastic reading year that stands for!

See you in 2010.

Since you enjoyed Elegance of the Hedgehog so much, I recommend its prequel: "Gourmet Rhapsody". It's about the gourmand who is dying in the apartment house where "Hedgehog" takes place. Rene has a small part but the story centers on this larger than life main character. I actually preferred it to the second book and I know that you'll enjoy Barbery's elegant writing.

#303: Nice summary, Amy.

I will be reading Elegance of the Hedgehog in 2010. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!

I'm glad you managed to get to The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Amy. I loved that book. I just read Gourmet Rhapsody and unfortunately, I did not enjoy it much at all.

Here's to a wonderful reading year in 2010. Happy New Year!

Thanks, Everyone! Making my list of favorite reads was really difficult this year. I'd settle on a Top 5, but then my eyes would light on another title that I just couldn't leave it. It was like choosing my favorite child!

Happy New Year Amy!

I send all good wishes for the best, brightest year possible.

Happy New Year, Amy!